Class 

Book l H^ - 

Copyright^ 

COPIR1GHT DEPOSIT. 



Gbe passion of ©ur %oxb 



CHRIST US 



"He hath anointed Me 
To preach the gospel to the poor ; 
To preach deliverance to the captives. 
And recovering of sight to the blind. 
To set at liberty them that are bruised." 



passion of ©ur %ovb 

AN INTERWOVEN NARRATIVE OF 
THE SUFFERINGS, DEATH, RESUR- 
RECTION AND ASCENSION OF OUR 

Xor& an& Saviour 3em* Cbnet 

IN THE WORDS OF THE FOUR EVANGELISTS 

Intended for Devotional Reading and for Public Use 
During Lent and Holy Week 

BY 

Rev. CHARLES W. HEISLER, D.D. 

If 




" Fear not, I am The First and The Last, and The Living One ; 
And I was Dead, and behold, I am Alive Forevermore. " 



THE SABBATH LITERATURE COMPANY 
ALBANY, N. Y. 
1904 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Twe Copies Received 

FEB 20 1904 

Copyright £ntry . 



Copyright, 1904 
By SABBATH LITERATURE COMPANY 



fott ©range press 

BRANDOW PRINTING COMPANY 
ALBANY, N. Y. 



(Contents 



CONTENTS 

Page 



A Fore- Word 5 

THE EVENTS OF PALM SUNDAY 9 

THE EVENTS OF MONDAY IN HOLY 

WEEK 15 

THE EVENTS OF TUESDAY IN HOLY 

WEEK 19 

I. On the Way to Jerusalem 19 

II. Jesus Teaches in the Temple Courts 20 

1. His Authority Questioned 20 

2. A Series of Three Parables 21 

(1) The Parable of the Two Sons 22 

(2) The Parable of the Wicked Husband- 

men 22 

(3) The Parable of the Marriage of the 

King's Son 24 

3. Jesus' Enemies Seek to Entrap Him . 25 

(1) The Pharisees' Question about Tribute 26 

(2) The Sadducees' Question about the 

Resurrection 27 

(3) The Scribes' Question about the Com- 

mandment 28 

(4) Christ's Question of the Pharisees .... 29 

4. Warnings against the Scribes and 

Pharisees 30 

5. The Sevenfold Woes upon the Scribes and 

Pharisees 31 

6. Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem 34 

7. The Poor Widow's Gift 34 

8. Certain Greeks Seek Jesus 35 

9. Final Words in the Temple 37 

III. On the Mount of Olives 38 

1. The Discourse Concerning Destruction of 

Jerusalem and His Final Coming ... 38 

2. Three Parables Concerning the Last 

Things 45 



Contents 



EVENTS OF TUESDAY— Continued Page 

(1) The Ten Virgins 45 

(2) The Talents 46 

(3) The Judgment of the Nations 47 

3. The Approach of the Passover 48 

THE EVENTS OF WEDNESDAY IN HOLY 

WEEK 51 

THE EVENTS OF THURSDAY IN HOLY 

WEEK 55 

I. The Preparation for the Passover 55 

II. The Celebration of the Passover and the 

Institution of the Lord's Supper 56 

1. The Contention among the Twelve 56 

2. The Traitor Pointed Out 59 

3. Jesus Institutes the Lord's Supper 61 

4. Jesus Foretells a Second Time Peter's 

Denial 62 

III. Jesus' Farewell Discourse and High- 

Priestly Prayer 63 

1. Jesus' Farewell Discourse 63 

2. Jesus' High-Priestly Prayer 71 

IV. In the Garden of Gethsemane 74 

1. On the Way to Gethsemane 74 

2. The Agony in the Garden 74 

THE EVENTS OF GOOD FRIDAY 79 

I. The Arrest of Jesus 79 

II. The Trial of Jesus 82 

1. The Ecclesiastical Trial. 82 

(1) The Private Examination before 

Annas 82 

(2) The Trial before Caiaphas and the 

Sanhedrin 83 

(3) Jesus is Derided and Bun^eted 85 

(4) The Denials of Peter 86 

a. The First Denial 87 

b. The Second Denial 88 

c. The Third Denial 88 

(5) The Formal Trial and Condemnation 

by the Sanhedrin 89 

(6) Judas' Remorse and Suicide 90 

2. The Civil Trial of Jesus 91 

2 



Contents 



EVENTS OF GOOD FRIDAY— Continued Pa e e 



(1) The First Trial by Pilate 91 

a. The Charge against Jesus 92 

b. Pilate Privately Examines Jesus .... 93 

c. Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent 93 

(2) The Trial by Herod Antipas 94 

(3) The Second Trial by Pontius Pilate. . 95 

a. Pilate Reviews Case and Tries to 
Release Jesus 96 

b. Procla's Dream. Again Pilate Seeks 

to Release Jesus 97 

c. Jesus Is Scourged and Mocked. ... 98 

d. Pilate's Second Private Examination 

of Jesus 99 

e. Pilate again Seeks to Release Jesus. 100 

f. The Sentence of Death 101 

III. The Crucifixion of Jesus 101 

1. The March to Golgotha 101 

2. The Crucifixion 102 

3. The Centurion's Testimony 107 

4. The Women at the Cross 107 

5. Jesus' Death Made Certain 108 

IV. The Burial of Jesus 109 

THE EVENTS OF SATURDAY IN HOLY 

WEEK 113 

The Sepulchre Sealed and the Watch Set 113 

THE EVENTS OF EASTER 117 

The Resurrection and the First Appearances of 

Christ 117 

1. The Resurrection 117 

2. Certain Women Visit the Sepulchre 117 

3. Mary Magdalene Carries the News to 

Peter and John 119 

4. The Vision of Angels to the Women. ... 119 

5. The Guards Report the Resurrection 121 

6. Peter and John Visit the Sepulchre 122 

7. The Appearances of Our Lord after His 

Resurrection 123 

(1) To Mary Magdalene 123 

(2) To the Other Women 124 

(3) To Simon Peter 125 

(4) To Two on the Way to Emmaus 125 

(5) To the Disciples, except Thomas 127 

3 



Contents 



Page 

FROM EASTER TO ASCENSION DAY 133 

Other Appearances of Christ 133 

(6) To the Disciples, Thomas Present... 133 

(7) To Seven Disciples at Sea of Tiberias . . 134 

(8) To the Eleven in Galilee 136 

(9) To James 137 

EVENTS OF ASCENSION DAY 139 

The Closing Scene on Olivet 139 

(10) Christ's Final Appearance to All the 

Disciples and the Ascension 139 



4 



a ]fore*wor& 



A FORE-WORD 



SIDE from the liturgical churches, where 
it has always been the custom, there has 
been a growing tendency to observe the week 
preceding Easter as "Holy Week." What 
more appropriate season in the whole year for 
a week of humiliation and prayer than that? 
No one can estimate the blessed results of a 
devout and orderly contemplation of the pro- 
foundly significant and touching events of that 
Holy Week in our Lord's life. The more 
vividly we can bring before us the details of 
that marvelous story of divine compassion 
and bitter suffering for human sin, the more 
real will this "Saviour of Mankind" become 
to us, and the more deeply will we come to 
love Him. 

In such an exercise a little book of this de- 
scription ought to be an efficient aid. The 
writer has derived blessed profit, a profit in 
which he believes his people have shared, from 
the use of the manuscripts of this manual in 
services during Holy Week in his own church. 

While there are other combination narra- 
tives of the gospels extant, yet there is no 
manual on precisely the plan of this one, so 
far as we know. The plan is to present the 
gospel material for each day in its proper order, 
in appropriate sections, with brief introductory 
notes, to make clear the order and relation of 
events, as they appear from a careful study of 
5 




H 3fore*wort> 



all four gospels. Several minor features, it 
is hoped, may add to the devotional character 
of the work. 

The old version has been retained as being 
the more popularly acceptable. Nothing es- 
sential to any of the gospels has been omitted. 
The writer has not felt at liberty to play fast 
and loose with the gospel material, by omis- 
sions, or the incorporation of words and 
phrases of his own, in a presumptuous effort 
to improve upon the diction of the evangelists. 
Nor has he exercised a painful ingenuity in 
harmonizing portions that plainly do not har- 
monize, or in trying to make different evan- 
gelists say the same thing, when they plainly 
did not mean to say the same thing. Many 
charges of contradiction and discrepancy, we 
are persuaded, arise from the effort to har- 
monize certain portions because of a similarity 
of words here and there. This is especially 
noticeable in the account of the trial of Christ, 
of Peter's denial, of the crucifixion, and of the 
resurrection. 

This work has grown out of a harmony of 
the Gospels prepared by the compiler, and it 
may be stated that in every case the order and 
arrangement are the fruit of prolonged study 
and investigation. Any one familiar with the 
literature of the subject will appreciate what 
this means. 

Whilst freely acknowledging the help de- 
rived from others, who have worked in the 
same line, the compiler has not hesitated to 
adopt his own order when that seemed jus- 
tified. This will appear in a number of places. 
Attention is especially called to the Scheme 
6 



H ]fore*wor& 



for Holy Week as showing the relation of the 
Jewish and the modern day. 

It is hoped that pastors may find this un- 
pretending little manual useful in conducting 
their Lenten and Holy Week services; and 
that many of the laity also may find it an aid 
to devotion in following along in such services. 

With the prayer that through a devout study 
of these eventful scenes in our Saviour's life 
we may be brought into such close and blessed 
touch with Him, that each week may become 
to us, more and more, a "holy week," this 
little work is sent forth. 

C. W. H. 

Albany, N. Y., Feb., 1904. 



7 



"My Lord and my God." 

— Thomas the Apostle 

"And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a 
name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF 
LORDS." 

— John the Apostle 

"Ride on, ride on in majesty, 
In lowly pomp ride on to die, 

O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin 
O'er captive death and conquered sin. 

"Ride on, ride on in majesty, 
The angel armies of the sky 

Look down with sad and wondering eyes, 
To see the approaching Sacrifice. 

"Ride on, ride on in majesty, 
In lowly pomp ride on to die, 

Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain, 
Then take, O God, Thy power and reign." 

— Milman 



8 



Zhc passion of our Xorb 



THE EVENTS OF PALM SUNDAY 

Sunday, April 2, A. D. 30 

Jewish First Day, Nisan 10, A. U. C. 783 

On the day following the Anointing at Bethany 
(John 12:1-11), Jesus prepares to enter the Holy 
City in His true Messianic character. Sending two 
disciples to an adjacent village for an ass, He 
seats Himself thereon, and proceeds to Jerusalem in 
kingly state, after the Oriental fashion, and is hailed 
with loud hosannas by the multitudes as the royal 
heir of David's line. The objections of the Phari- 
sees to these acclaims are briefly answered. A little 
beyond the summit of Olivet, where the city first 
bursts upon His view, in all its splendor, He pauses 
to weep over its rejection of Himself and its im- 
pending doom. In the city He enters the temple, 
looks around in sadness, and then retires to Bethany. 

Matt. 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; 
John 12:12-19 

On the next day, much people that were 
come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus 
was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of 
palm trees, and went forth to meet Him. And 
it came to pass when they drew nigh unto 
Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the 
mount called the Mount of Olives, then sent 
Jesus two of His disciples, saying unto them, 
"Go ye your way into the village over against 

9 

1 



♦ 



Gbe passion of our Xorl> 



you, and as soon as ye be entered into it 
straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a 
colt with her, whereon yet never man sat: 
loose them, and bring them hither unto Me. 
And if any man say unto you, s Why do ye 
this?' 4 Why do ye loose him?' thus shall ye 
say unto him, 'Because the Lord hath need of 
them/ and straightway he will send them 
hither." 

And the disciples that were sent went their 
way, and found the colt tied by the door with- 
out, in a place where two ways met, even as 
He had said unto them ; and did as Jesus com- 
manded them, and they loose him. And as 
they were loosing the colt, certain of them that 
stood there, the owners thereof, said unto them, 
"What do ye, loosing the colt?" And they 
said unto them even as Jesus had commanded, 
"The Lord hath need of him." And they let 
them go. And they brought the ass and the 
colt to Jesus; and they cast their garments 
upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 
And He sat upon him 

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled 
which was spoken by the prophet, saying, as 
it is written, 

"Tell ye the daughter of Sion, 
Fear not; behold, thy King cometh unto 
thee, 

Meek, and sitting upon an ass, 
And a colt, the foal of an ass." * 

These things understood not His disciples 
at the first ; but when Jesus was glorified, then 

*Zech. 9:9 

10 



palm Sunba? 



remembered they that these things were writ- 
ten of Him, and that they had done these 
things unto Him. The people therefore that 
was with Him, when He called Lazarus out 
of his grave, and raised him from the dead, 
bare record. For this cause the people also 
met Him, for that they heard that He had 
done this miracle. 

And as He went, a very great multitude 
spread their garments in the way, and others 
cut down branches from the trees, and strewed 
them in the way. And when He was come 
nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount 
of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples 
began to rejoice and praise God, with a loud 
voice, for all the mighty works that they had 
seen; saying, 

"Blessed be the King that cometh in the name 

of the Lord: 
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." 

And some of the Pharisees from among the 
multitude said unto Him, "Master, rebuke Thy 
disciples." And He answered, and said unto 
them, "I tell you that, if these should hold 
their peace, the stones would immediately cry 
out." 

And the multitudes that went before, and 
they that followed, cried, saying, 

"Hosanna, Hosanna to the Son of David : 
Blessed is He, the King of Israel, 
That cometh in the name of the Lord: 
Blessed be the kingdom of our father, David, 
That cometh in the name of the Lord: 
Hosanna in the highest." 

XI 



Gbe paeekm of our Xorfc 



And when He was come near, He beheld the 
city, and wept over it, saying, "If thou hadst 
known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the 
things which belong unto thy peace ! — but now 
they are hid from thine eyes. For the days 
shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall 
cast a trench about thee, and compass thee 
round, and keep thee in on every side, and 
shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy 
children within thee; and they shall not leave 
in thee one stone upon another; because thou 
knewest not the time of thy visitation." 

And when He was come into Jerusalem, all 
the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" 
And the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the 
prophet of Nazareth, of Galilee." 

And Jesus entered into Jerusalem and into 
the temple; and when He had looked round 
about upon all things, and now the eventide 
was come, He went out unto Bethany with 
the twelve. The Pharisees therefore said 
among themselves, "Perceive ye how ye pre- 
vail nothing? behold the world is gone after 
Him." 

COLLECT FOR PALM SUNDAY 

"Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast sent 
Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon 
Him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, 
that all mankind should follow the example of His 
great humility; mercifullv grant that we may both 
follow the example of His patience, and also be 
made partakers of His resurrection; through the 
same Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who liveth and 
reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one 
God, world without end. Amen." 



12 



"Behold THE LAMB OF GOD Which taketh 
away the sins of the world." 

— John the Apostle 

"While Thee, O Saviour dear, 
We watch this Holy Week, 

O teach us how to bear 
Our cross with spirit meek; 

And we believe Thy love is near 
To grant the best we seek." 



14 



THE EVENTS IN MONDAY OF 
HOLY WEEK 



Monday, April 3, A. D. 30 

Jewish Second Day, Nisan 11, A. U. C. 783 

On the next morning, Jesus, with His disciples, 
again repairs to Jerusalem. On the way, seeing an 
apparently flourishing fig tree promising fruit, Jesus 
condemns it for its barrenness, as a striking object 
lesson of the judgment to come upon the Jewish 
nation, for its spiritual fruitlessness. Entering the 
temple, He purifies it the second time, of money- 
changers and merchants, who were defiling its 
sacred courts with their traders' stalls. He sharply 
reproves the priests and scribes who protest against 
the Hosannas of the children. In the evening, He 
resorts again to Bethany. 

Matt. 21:12-19; Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48, 
21:37, 38 

And in the morning, when they were come 
from Bethany, as He returned into the city, 
He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree in the 
way, afar off, having leaves, He came to it, if 
haply He might find anything thereon; and 
when He came to it, He found nothing thereon 
but leaves only; for the time of figs was not 
yet! And Jesus answered and said unto it, 
"Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for- 
ever; no man eat fruit of thee hereafter for- 
ever." And His disciples heard it. And pres- 
ently the fig tree withered away. 

And they come to Jerusalem. And Jesus 
went into the temple of God; and began to 
15 



Gbe passion of our Xorb 



cast out them that sold and them that bought 
in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the 
money-changers and the seats of them that 
sold doves, and would not suffer that any man 
should carry any vessel through the temple. 
And He taught, saying unto them, "It is writ- 
ten, is it not? 'My house shall be called of all 
nations the house of prayer ;' but ye have made 
it a den of thieves." And the chief priests and 
the scribes and the chief of the people heard 
it, and sought how they might destroy Him; 
for they feared Him, because all the people 
was astonished at His doctrine and could not 
find what they might do; for all the people 
were very attentive to hear Him. And the blind 
and the lame came to Him in the temple ; and 
He healed them. And when the chief priests 
and the scribes saw the wonderful things that 
He did, and the children crying in the temple, 
and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David," 
they were sore displeased, and said unto Him, 
"Hearest Thou what these say?" And Jesus 
saith unto them, "Yea; have ye never read, 
'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou 
hast perfected praise?' " * 

And He taught daily in the temple. And 
when even was come, He left them, and went 
out of the city, into the mount that is called 
the Mount of Olives, into Bethany, and He 
lodged there. And all the people came early 
in the morning to Him, in the temple for to 
hear Him. 



* Ps. 8:2 



16 



flDonfca? in Ibols Week 



COLLECT FOR MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK 

"Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, 
who amid so many adversities do fail through our 
own infirmities, may be restored through the passion 
and intercession of Thine Only-begotten Son, Who 
liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, 
ever one God, world without end. Amen." 



2 



17 



* 



"I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the 
Ending, saith the Lord, Which is, and Which was, 
and Which is to come, the Almighty." 

— The Glorified Saviour 

"They lead Thee forth to die, 
The Lamb, the sinless One; 

In lonesome agony. 
Thy Father's will be done: 

But we believe Thy dying cry 
Our life eternal won." 

"Jesus, may our hearts be burning, 
With more fervent love for Thee; 
May our eyes be ever turning 

To Thy cross of agony; 
Till in glory, parted never 

From the Blessed Saviour's side, 
Graven in our hearts forever, 
Dwell the cross, the Crucified." 

— Savonarola 



18 



THE EVENTS OF 



TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK 

Tuesday, April 4, A. D. 30 

Jewish Third Day, Nisan 12, A. U. C. 783 

I. On the Way to Jerusalem 
II. In the Temple Courts 
III. On the Mount of Olives 

Matt. 21:20-26:2; Mark 11:20-14:2; Luke 20:1-21:36; 
John 12:20-50 

I. ON THE WAY TO JERUSALEM 

On the way to Jerusalem, on the morning of this 
day, the disciples call attention to the withered fig 
tree, and Jesus uses the incident to enforce a les- 
son of implicit faith in God. 

Matt. 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-26 

And in the morning as they passed by, they 
saw the fig tree dried up by the roots. And 
Peter calling to remembrance saith unto Him, 
"Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou curs- 
edst is withered away." And when the dis- 
ciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, "How 
soon is the fig tree withered away." And 
Jesus answered and said unto them, "Have 
faith in God. Verily I say unto you, that if 
ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only 
do this which is done to the fig tree ; but also 
whosoever shall say unto this mountain, 'Be 
thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea ;' 



19 



Zbe passion of our Xorfc 



and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall be- 
lieve that those things which he saith shall 
come to pass ; it shall be done ; he shall have 
whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto 
you, what things soever ye desire, when ye 
pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall 
have them ; and all things whatsoever ye shall 
ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. And 
when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have 
aught against any; that your Father also 
which is in heaven may forgive you your 
trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither 
will your Father which is in heaven forgive 
your trespasses." 

II. JESUS TEACHES IN THE TEMPLE 
COURTS 

i. His Authority Questioned 

Arriving in Jerusalem, Jesus enters the temple 
and spends the entire day teaching in its courts. 
In many respects this was the most remarkable day 
of teaching in our Lord's earthly career. It was 
the last day of His public teaching, and marks, in a 
sense, the close of the public exercise of His pro- 
phetic office. His teaching this day was His last 
supreme effort to preach the gospel to His obdurate 
people, and to press His own claims upon their 
acceptance. But they would not hear. And their 
hardness of heart, soon causes Him to turn to stern 
judgment and righteous invective. In striking par- 
ables and prolonged discourse He pronounces the 
doom of His hapless people. The events pass be- 
fore us in rapid and dramatic succession. He has 
not taught long until He is confronted with a depu- 
tation of scribes and chief priests who question His 
authority for His acts and teaching. He answers 
them with incomparable skill, by a question that 
throws them into a dilemma of silence. 

20 



^uesfca? in Iboip Week 



Matt. 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8 

And they come again to Jerusalem. And 
it came to pass on one o£ those days when He 
was come into the temple, as He was walking 
in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes 
and the elders of the people came unto Him, 
as He taught the people in the temple, and 
preached the gospel, and spake unto Him, say- 
ing, "Tell us by what authority doest Thou 
these things? and who is he that gave Thee 
this authority to do these things?" And 
Jesus answered and said unto them, "I also 
will ask of you one thing, which if ye tell Me, 
I, in likewise will tell you by what authority I 
do these things. The baptism of John, whence 
was it ? from heaven or of men ? Answer Me." 
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, 
"If we shall say, 'From heaven;' He will say 
unto us, 4 Why then did ye not believe him?' 
But if we shall say, 'Of men ;' we fear the peo- 
ple; all the people will stone us; for they all 
counted John that he was a prophet indeed." 
And they answered and said unto Jesus, "We 
cannot tell." And Jesus answering said unto 
them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority 
I do these things." 

2. A Series of Three Parables 

Our Lord now turns upon His enemies, and, in a 
series of three striking parables, connected with His 
first coming, lays open their disobedience to God, 
their absolute failure in the trust God had committed 
to them, and the malevolence of their hearts in plot- 
ting His death. They constitute a sentence of judg- 
ment on the chosen nation for their unfaithfulness, 
21 



Zhc passion of out Xori> 



and announce the transfer of the kingdom to the 
Gentiles, who will bring forth the fruits thereof. 

(i.) The Parable of the Two Sons 

Matt. 21:28-32 

"But what think ye? A certain man had 
two sons; and he came to the first, and said, 
'Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.' He 
answered and said, 'I will not;' but afterward 
he repented, and went. And he came to the 
second, and said likewise. And he answered 
and said, 'I go, sir;' and went not. Whether 
of them twain did the will of his father?" 
They say unto him, "The first." Jesus saith 
unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that the 
publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom 
of God before you. For John came unto you 
in the way of righteousness, and ye believed 
him not; but the publicans and the harlots 
believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, 
repented not afterward, that ye might believe 
him." 

(2.) The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen 
Matt. 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19 

And He began to speak unto them by par- 
ables. "Hear another parable. There was a 
certain man, a householder, which planted a 
vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged 
a winepress in it and built a tower, and let it 
out to husbandmen, and went into a far coun- 
try for a long time. And at the season, when 
the time of the fruit drew near, he sent a serv- 
ant that he might receive from the husband- 
22 



Gue0t>a$ in Ibol? THIleeft 



men of the fruit of the vineyard. But the 
husbandmen caught him, and beat him, and 
sent him away empty. And again he sent 
unto them another servant; and at him they 
cast stones and wounded him in the head, and 
they beat him also, and entreated him shame- 
fully and sent him away empty. And again 
he sent a third; and they wounded him also 
and cast him out. And again he sent another ; 
and him they killed. And he sent many other 
servants more than the first, and they did unto 
them likewise, beating some, and killing some. 
Then the lord of the vineyard, having yet there- 
fore one son, his well beloved, said, 'What 
shall I do? I will send my beloved son.' He 
sent him also unto them, last of all, saying, 
'It may be they will reverence my son, when 
they see him.' 

"But when those husbandmen saw the son, 
they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'This 
is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us 
seize on his inheritance, and the inheritance 
shall be ours.' And they caught him and cast 
him out of the vineyard and killed him. When 
the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, 
what will he do unto those husbandmen?" 
They say unto Him, "He will come and mis- 
erably destroy those wicked husbandmen, and 
will let out the vineyard unto other husband- 
men, which shall render him the fruit in their 
seasons." And when they heard it, they said, 
"God forbid." 

And Jesus beheld them and said unto them, 
"What is this then that is written? Did ye 
never read in the Scriptures, 'The stone which 
the builders rejected, the same is become the 
23 



£be passion of our Xorfc 



head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, 
and it is marvelous in our eyes?'* There- 
fore I say unto you, the Kingdom of God shall 
be taken from you, and given to a nation bring- 
ing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever 
shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but 
on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him 
to powder." And when the chief priests and 
Pharisees had heard His parables, they per- 
ceived that He had spoken against them. But 
when they sought, the same hour, to lay hands 
on Him, they feared the multitude, because 
they took Him for a prophet. And they left 
Him and went their way. 

(3.) The Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son 
Matt. 22:1-14 

And Jesus answered and spake unto them 
again by parables, and said, "The kingdom of 
heaven is like unto a certain king, which made 
a marriage for his son, and sent forth his serv- 
ants to call them that were bidden to the 
wedding: and they would not come. Again 
he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell them 
which are bidden, behold, I have prepared 
my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are 
killed, and all things are ready; come unto 
the marriage/ But they made light of it, and 
went their ways, one to his farm, another to his 
merchandise: and the remnant took his serv- 
ants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew 
them. But when the king heard thereof he 
was wroth; and he sent forth his armies, and 

* Ps. 118:22, 23 

24 



destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their 
city. Then saith he to his servants, 'The 
wedding is ready, but they which were bidden 
were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the 
highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to 
the marriage.' So those servants went out 
into the highways, and gathered together all 
as many as they found, both bad and good: 
and the wedding was furnished with guests. 
And when the king came in to see the guests, 
he saw there a man which had not on a wed- 
ding garment. And he saith unto him, 'Friend, 
how earnest thou in hither not having a wed- 
ding garment?' And he was speechless. Then 
said the king to the servants, 'Bind him hand 
and foot, and take him away, and cast him into 
outer darkness; there shall be weeping and 
gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but 
few are chosen." 

3. Jesus' Enemies Seek to Entrap Him 

The hostility of the ruling classes to Jesus is un- 
mistakable. They were only waiting a convenient 
opportunity to encompass His destruction. Three 
separate attempts were made to get Him to commit 
Himself in such a way that they could formulate 
some charges against Him, on which He could be 
tried before the ecclesiastical court of the Jews and 
the civil court of the Romans. First come the 
Pharisees, with certain of their allies of the party of 
Herod, with their question about tribute. The ques- 
tion was so framed as to entangle Him, so they 
thought, no matter how He answered it. If He 
answered it affirmatively, He would array against 
Himself the people ; if negatively, He would be open 
to the charge of treason. Then came the sceptical 
Sadducees with their silly question concerning the 
resurrection, and then the scribe with his query as 

25 



Zhc passion of our Xorfc 



to the great commandment of the law. Our Lord, 
with matchless wisdom and incomparable skill, an- 
swers all these in such a way as to silence them com- 
pletely, and vindicate His own wisdom and holiness. 
Then He turns and propounds that great counter 
question, "What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is 
He?" No wonder that after that no man dared ask 
Him any further question. 

(i) The Pharisees' Question about Tribute 
Matt, 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26 

Then went the Pharisees and took counsel 
how they might entangle Him in His talk. 
And they watched Him, and sent unto Him 
spies, certain of the Pharisees, their disciples, 
with the Hercdians, that they might take hold 
of His words, that so they might deliver Him 
unto the power and authority of the governor. 

And when they were come, they say unto 
Him, "Master, we know that Thou art true, 
that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, and 
carest for no man; for Thou regardest not 
the person of men, but teachest the way of 
God in truth: tell us, therefore, what think- 
est Thou? Is it lawful for us to give tribute 
unto Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall 
we not give?" But Jesus, knowing their crafti- 
ness and hypocrisy, perceived their wicked- 
ness, and said unto them, "Why tempt ye Me, 
ye hypocrites? Shew Me the tribute money: 
bring Me a penny, that I may see it." And 
they brought unto Him a penny. And He 
saith unto them, "Whose is this image and 
superscription?" And they answered and said 
unto Him, "Caesar's." And then Jesus an- 
swering, said unto them, "Render, therefore, 
26 



ftues&aip in Iboty IHHeefc 



unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; 
and unto God the things which are God's." 
And when they had heard, they could not 
take hold of His words before the people : and 
they marvelled at Him and at His answer, 
and held their peace, and left Him, and went 
their way. 

(2.) The Sadducees' Question about the 
Resurrection 

Matt. 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-39 

Then the same day came to Him certain of 
the Sadducees, which say that there is no res- 
urrection ; and they asked Him, saying, "Mas- 
ter, Moses wrote unto us, 'If any man's brother 
die, having a wife, and he die without children, 
that his brother should marry his wife, and 
raise up seed unto his brother.'* Now there 
were with us seven brethren; and the first, 
when he had married a wife, deceased, and 
having no issue, left his wife unto his brother. 
And the second took her to wife, and he died 
childless. And the third took her likewise; 
and in like manner the seven also; and they 
left no children, and died. And last of all the 
woman died also. In the resurrection, there- 
fore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall 
she be of the seven? for they all had her to 
wife." 

And Jesus answering, said unto them, "Ye 
do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the 
power of God. The children of this world 
marry and are given in marriage. But they 

* Deut. 25:5 

27 



Sbe ffmesion of our Xor5 



which shall be accounted worthy to obtain 
that world and the resurrection from the dead, 
when they shall rise from the dead, neither 
marry nor are given in marriage, but are 
as the angels of God which are in heaven. 
Neither can they die any more; for they are 
equal unto the angels; and are the children 
of God, being the children of the resurrection. 
But as touching the resurrection of the dead, 
that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed. 
Have ye not read in the book of Moses, that 
which was spoken unto you by God, how in 
the bush God spake unto him, saying, 'I am 
the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, 
and the God of Jacob?'* God is not the God 
of the dead, but the God of the living; for all 
live unto Him. Ye therefore do greatly err." 

And when the multitude heard this, they 
were astonished at His doctrine. Then cer- 
tain of the scribes answering said, "Master, 
Thou hast well said." 

(3.) The Scribes' Question about the 
Commandment 

Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 20:40 

But when the Pharisees had heard that He 
had put the Sadducees to silence, they were 
gathered together. Then one of them, a 
lawyer, and one of the scribes, came, and hav- 
ing heard them reasoning together, and per- 
ceiving that He had answered them well, asked 
Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, 
"Master, which is the first commandment of 



* Ex. 3:6 



28 



Suesfca? in 1bol£ TOeeft 



all, the great commandment in the law ?" And 
Jesus said unto him, "The first of all the com- 
mandments is, 'Hear, O Israel; the Lord our 
God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the 
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with 
all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with 
all thy strength.'* This is the first and great 
commandment. And the second is like unto 
it, namely this, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor 
as thyself.'f There is none other command- 
ment greater than these. On these two com- 
mandments hang all the law and the prophets." 
And the scribe said unto Him, "Well, Master, 
Thou hast said the truth : for there is one God ; 
and there is none other but He: and to love 
Him with all the heart, and with all the un- 
derstanding, and with all the soul, and with 
all the strength, and to love his neighbor as 
himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings 
and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he 
answered discreetly, He said unto him, "Thou 
art not far from the kingdom of God." And 
no man after that durst ask Him any question. 

(4.) Christ's Question of the Pharisees 

Matt. 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44 

While the Pharisees were gathered together, 
Jesus answered and said unto them, while He 
taught in the temple, "How say the scribes 
that Christ is the son of David?" And Jesus 
asked them, saying, "What think ye of Christ? 
Whose son is He?" They say unto Him, 
"The son of David." He saith unto them, 



* Deut. 6:4, 5 



t Lev. 19:18 

29 



Gbe passion of our Xor& 



"How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord? 
For David himself said by the Holy Ghost in 
the Book of Psalms, 

'The Lord said unto my Lord, 

Sit thou on my right hand, 

Till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.'* 

David therefore himself calleth Him Lord. 
If David then call Him Lord, how is He his 
son?" And no man was able to answer Him 
a word, neither durst any man from that day 
forth ask Him any more questions. And the 
common people heard Him gladly. 

4. Warnings against the Scribes and Pharisees 

The breach between Jesus Christ and the Jewish 
rulers is now complete. They had wilfully and per- 
sistently rejected their Messiah, after all His tender 
entreaties and the manifest proofs of Messiahship 
which He had given them. Now as the Divine 
Judge, He turns upon them in stern judgment, first 
warning His disciples and the people against their 
hypocrisies, and then in a series of seven woes (the 
Revised Version omits Matthew 23:14), denounces 
them for their sins. "Never were severer epithets 
employed, never more terrible denunciations uttered, 
than those heaped upon the heads of the Pharisees. 
Yet no mingling here of sinful human passion, no 
absence even of love." 

Matt. 23:1-12; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47 

Then in the audience of all the people, spake 
Jesus to the multitudes and to His disciples, 
in His doctrine, saying, "The Scribes and 
Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; all therefore 



*Ps. 110:2 



30 



Gues&a? in Ibol? Week 



whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe 
and do; but do not ye after their work: for 
they say and do not. For they bind heavy 
burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay 
them on men's shoulders; but they them- 
selves will not move them with one of their 
fingers. But all their works they do for to 
be seen of men: they make broad their phy- 
lacteries, and enlarge the borders of their 
garments. Beware of the Scribes; which de- 
sire to walk in long robes, and love the upper- 
most rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in 
the synagogues ; which devour widows' houses 
and for a shew, a pretense, make long prayers : 
— these same shall receive greater damna- 
tion — ; and love greetings in the market- 
places, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your 
Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 
And call no man your father upon the earth: 
for One is your Father, which is in heaven. 
Neither be ye called masters : for One is your 
Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest 
among you shall be your servant. And who- 
soever shall exalt himself shall be abased ; and 
he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." 

5. The Seven-fold Woes Pronounced upon 
the Scribes and Pharisees 

Matt. 23:13-36 

"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, 
hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of 
heaven against men : for ye neither go in your- 
selves, neither suffer ye them that are entering 
to go in. 

31 



£be passion of our Xort> 



*"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, 
hypocrites ! for ye devour widows' houses, and 
for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye 
shall receive the greater damnation. 

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- 
crites! for ye compass sea and land to make 
one proselyte ; and when he is made, ye make 
him twofold more the child of hell than your- 
selves. 

"Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, 
'Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is 
nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the 
gold of the temple, he is a debtor!' Ye fools 
and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, 
or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, 
'Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is noth- 
ing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that 
is upon it, he is guilty.' Ye fools and blind: 
for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar 
that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore 
shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by 
all things thereon. And whosoever shall 
swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by 
Him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall 
swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of 
God, and by Him that sitteth thereon. 

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- 
crites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise 
and cummin, and have omitted the weightier 
matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith : 
these ought ye to have done, and not to leave 
the other undone. Ye blind guides, which 
strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- 

* R. V. omits verse 14 



32 



Guee&ap in DoI$ Meek 



crites ! for ye make clean the outside of the cup 
and of the platter, but within they are full of 
extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, 
cleanse first that which is within the cup and 
platter, that the outside of them may be clean 
also. 

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- 
crites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, 
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but 
are within full of dead men's bones, and of all 
uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly ap- 
pear righteous unto men, but within ye are 
full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo- 
crites! because ye build the tombs of the 
prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the 
righteous, and say, 'If we had been in the 
days of our fathers, we would not have been 
partakers with them in the blood of the proph- 
ets/ Wherefore ye be witnesses unto your- 
selves, that ye are the children of them which 
kill the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure 
of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of 
vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of 
hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you 
prophets, and wise men, and scribes : and some 
of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of 
them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and 
persecute them from city to city: that upon 
you may come all the righteous blood shed 
upon the earth, from the blood of righteous 
Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Bara- 
chias, whom ye slew between the temple and 
the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these 
things shall come upon this generation." 

33 



3 



XTbe passion of our Xorfc 



6. Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem 

It is strikingly impressive that this is the third 
time our Saviour uttered some such lament over 
Jerusalem. First, in His Perean Ministry (Luke 
I 3 : 34» 35) > perhaps three or four months before His 
death. Again on the Mount of Olives, in connection 
with His Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:41-44). And 
now at the close of His public ministry, in the 
Temple courts. He has had to pronounce stern 
judgment upon the obdurate rulers, but He does it 
with a breaking heart. All the depths of His infi- 
nite love well up in this touching lament over His 
recreant people. 

Matt. 23:37-39 

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest 
the prophets, and stonest them which are sent 
unto thee, how often would I have gathered 
thy children together, even as a hen gathereth 
her chickens under her wings, and ye would 
not ! Behold, your house is left unto you deso- 
late. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me 
henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that 
cometh in the name of the Lord." 

7. The Poor Widow's Gift 

Our Saviour had been teaching all day in the 
Temple courts. Evidently He now passes out into 
the Court of the Women, where were placed the 
chests for the reception of offerings. Here He has 
an opportunity to observe the gifts cast into the 
treasury, and commends that of a poor widow. 

Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4 

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and 
He looked up, and beheld how the people cast 
money into the treasury; and saw the rich 

34 



Gues&a? in Ifool? Meek 



men casting their gifts into the treasury; and 
many that were rich cast in much. And He 
saw also a certain poor widow; and she came 
and threw in thither two mites which make a 
farthing. And He called unto Him His dis- 
ciples and said unto them, "Verily I say unto 
you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, 
than all they which have cast into the treasury. 
For all these have of their abundance cast 
in unto the offerings of God; but she of her 
want did cast in all that she had, even all her 
living." 

8. Certain Greeks Seek Jesus 

Toward the close of this eventful day, certain 
Greeks, proselytes of the gate, expressed to Philip 
a strong desire to see Jesus. This incident, simple 
enough, apparently, in itself, strangely agitated our 
Divine Lord. It was to Him a foregleam of the 
glory that was to be His as the world's Redeemer, 
and a prophetic intimation of the gathering of the 
nations to Him, through His lifting up. His prayer 
to the Father is followed by the voice from heaven. 

John 12:20-36 

And there were certain Greeks among them 
that came up to worship at the feast: The 
same came therefore to Philip, which was of 
Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, 
"Sir we would see Jesus." Philip cometh and 
telleth Andrew : and again Andrew and Philip 
tell Jesus. 

And Jesus answered them, saying, "The 
hour is come, that the Son of man should be 
glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ex- 
cept a corn of wheat fall into the ground and 

35 



ZTbe passion of our %or& 



die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth 
forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall 
lose it; and he that hateth his life in this 
world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any 
man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where 
I am, there shall also my servant be: if any 
man serve Me, him will My Father honor. 
Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I 
say? Father, save Me from this hour: but 
for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, 
glorify Thy name." 

Then came there a voice from heaven, say- 
ing, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify 
it again." 

The people therefore that stood by, and 
heard it, said that it thundered: others said, 
"An angel spake to Him." Jesus answered and 
said, "This voice came not because of Me, but 
for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this 
world: now shall the prince of this world be 
cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the 
earth, will draw all men unto Me." 

This He said, signifying what death He 
should die. The people answered Him, "We 
have heard out of the law that Christ abideth 
for ever: and how sayest thou, 'The Son of 
man must be lifted up?' who is this Son of 
man?" 

Then Jesus said unto them, "Yet a little 
while is the light with you. Walk while ye 
have the light, lest darkness come upon you: 
for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not 
whither he goeth. While ye have light, be- 
lieve in the light, that ye may be the children 
of light." These things spake Jesus, and de- 
parted, and did hide Himself from them. 
36 



9. Final Words in the Temple 

The apostle John follows this incident with some 
reflections upon the unbelief of the Jews, and then 
presents Jesus' final words before leaving the Temple 
forever. His departure from the Temple is, in one 
sense, an act of judgment, and yet it is significant 
that these last words breathe the tender love of the 
Son of God. 

John 12:37-50 

But though He had done so many miracles 
before them, yet they believed not on Him: 
That the saying of Esaias the prophet might 
be fulfilled, which he spake, *"Lord, who hath 
believed our report? and to whom hath the arm 
of the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they 
could not believe, because that Esaias said 
again, f "He hath blinded their eyes, and har- 
dened their heart; that they should not see 
with their eyes, nor understand with their 
heart, and be converted, and I should heal 
them." These things said Esaias, when he 
saw His glory, and spake of Him. 

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also 
many believed on Him; but because of the 
Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they 
should be put out of the synagogue : For they 
loved the praise of men more than the praise 
of God. 

Jesus cried and said, "He that believeth on 
Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that 
sent me. And he that seeth Me seeth Him that 
sent Me. I am come a light into the world, 
that whosoever believeth on Me should not 
abide in darkness. And if any man hear My 



*Is. 53:1 



f Is. 6:9, 10 

37 



£be passion of our Xor5 



words, and believe not, I judge Him not: for 
I came not to judge the world, but to save the 
world. He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth 
not My words, hath one that judgeth Him: 
the word that I have spoken, the same shall 
judge him in the last day. For I have not 
spoken of Myself ; but the Father which sent 
Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I 
should say, and what I should speak. And I 
know that His commandment is life everlast- 
ing : whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the 
Father said unto Me, so I speak." 

III. ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES 

i. The Discourse Concerning the Destruction 
of Jerusalem and His Final Coming 

Jesus and His disciples now finally depart from the 
Temple. As they pass out, the disciples call atten- 
tion to the massive stones of the Temple buildings. 
Quickly follows Christ's prediction of the utter de- 
struction of these vast buildings. Not one stone 
should be left standing upon another. "But when?" 
ask the disciples. And then sitting on the slope of 
the Mount of Olives, with that city of such marvel- 
lous associations and thrilling memories lying below 
them in the gathering twilight, He proceeds to an- 
swer that question in the following discourse, con- 
cerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the dispersion 
and persecution of His disciples, His second and 
glorious coming, and the end of the world. The 
dire event in the foreground is Jerusalem's doom, 
but the great and overshadowing event in the back- 
ground is the end of the age and the destruction of 
the world. At times the two events seem blended in 
the account; just as in looking across a landscape 
we see now the trees and hills of the foreground, and 
anon the towering mountains of the background, and 
again the two so blend into each other that it is 
impossible to say where one begins and the other 
38 



ends. He then passes on to solemn warnings and 
affectionate injunctions to watchfulness. The whole 
discourse concludes with three impressive parables 
concerning the Last Things. 

Matt. 24:1-51; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 

And Jesus went out and departed from the 
temple : and His disciples came to Him for to 
show Him the buildings of the temple; and 
spake of the temple, how it was adorned with 
goodly stones and gifts. And one of His dis- 
ciples saith unto Him, "Master, see what man- 
ner of stones and buildings are here." And 
Jesus answering, said unto them, "See ye not 
all these great buildings? Verily I say unto 
you, as for these things which ye behold, the 
days will come, in the which there shall not 
be left one stone upon another, that shall not 
be thrown down." 

And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, 
over against the temple, the disciples, Peter 
and James and John and Andrew, came unto 
Him and asked Him privately, saying, "Mas- 
ter, tell us, but when shall these things be ? and 
what shall be the sign when all these things 
shall be fulfilled? and what shall be the sign 
of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" 

And Jesus answered and said unto them, 
"Take heed that no man deceive you. For 
many shall come in My name saying, 'I am 
Christ ; and the time draweth near ;' and shall 
deceive many. Go ye not therefore after them. 
And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. 
But when ye shall hear of wars and commo- 
tions, see that ye be not troubled — terri- 
fied — for all these things must first come to 
39 



Zbc passion of our Xorfc 



pass; but the end is not yet." Then said He 
unto them, "For nation shall rise against na- 
tion, and kingdom against kingdom ; and there 
shall be great earthquakes in divers places; 
and there shall be famines and pestilences and 
troubles; and fearful sights and great signs 
shall there be from heaven. All these are the 
beginning of sorrows. But take heed to your- 
selves: for before all these, they shall lay 
their hands on you and persecute you; for 
then shall they deliver you up to councils, to 
the synagogues, and into prisons; and in the 
synagogues ye shall be beaten — afflicted — ; 
and they shall kill you ; and ye shall be brought 
before rulers and kings for My sake; and ye 
shall be hated of all nations for My name's 
sake : and it shall turn to you for a testimony 
against them. 

"But when they shall lead you, and deliver 
you up, take no thought beforehand what ye 
shall speak. Settle it therefore in your hearts 
not to meditate before what ye shall answer. 
But whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, 
that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, 
but the Holy Ghost. For I will give you a 
mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries 
shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And 
then shall many be offended, and shall betray 
one another, and shall hate one another. Now 
the brother shall betray the brother to death, 
and the father the son, and children shall rise 
up against their parents, and shall cause them 
to be put to death. And ye shall be betrayed 
both by parents and brethren and kinsfolks 
and friends. But there shall not an hair of 
your head perish. In your patience possess ye 
40 



Gues&ap in Iboty Meefe 



your souls. And many false prophets shall 
rise, and shall deceive many. And because in- 
iquity shall abound the love of many shall wax 
cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, 
the same shall be saved. And this gospel of 
the kingdom shall first be preached in all the 
world, for a witness unto all nations; and 
then shall the end come. 

"And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed 
with armies, then know that the desolation 
thereof is nigh. But when ye therefore shall 
see the abomination of desolation, spoken of 
by Daniel the prophet, standing in the Holy 
Place, where it ought not (let him that read- 
eth understand), then let them which are in 
Judea flee to the mountains; and let them 
which are in the midst of it depart out, and 
let not them that are in the countries enter 
thereinto. And let him that is on the housetop 
not go down into the house, neither enter to 
take anything out of his house; and let him 
that is in the field not turn back again to take 
up his clothes. And woe to them that are 
with child, and to them that give suck in those 
days. But pray ye that your flight be not in 
the winter, neither on the Sabbath day. For 
these be the days of vengeance, that all things 
which are written may be fulfilled. For then, 
in those days, shall be affliction-— great tribu- 
lation,— such as was not from the beginning 
of the creation which God created unto this 
time, no nor ever shall be. For there shall be 
great distress in the land and wrath upon this 
people. And they shall fall by the edge of the 
sword, and shall be led away captive into all 
nations : and Jerusalem shall be trodden down 
41 



Zhc passion of our Xort> 



of the Gentiles, until the times o£ the Gentiles 
be fulfilled. And except that the Lord had 
shortened those days, there should no flesh be 
saved : but for the elect's sake, whom He hath 
chosen, He hath shortened the days. 

"And then if any man shall say unto you, 
'Lo, here is Christ;' or 'Lo, He is there,' be- 
lieve him not: for false Christs and false 
prophets shall rise, and shall show great signs 
and wonders; insomuch, that if it were pos- 
sible, they shall deceive the very elect. But 
take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all 
things. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, 
'Behold, He is in the desert ; ' go not forth. 
'Behold, He is in the secret chambers ; ' be- 
lieve it not. For as the lightning cometh out 
of the East, and shineth even unto the West; 
so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. 
For wheresoever the carcass is there will the 
eagles be gathered together. But in those 
days, immediately after that tribulation, there 
shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and 
in the stars. The sun shall be darkened, and 
the moon shall not give her light, and the stars 
shall fall from heaven, and the powers of 
heaven shall be shaken; and upon the earth 
distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea 
and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing 
them for fear, and for looking after those 
things which are coming on the earth. 

"And then shall appear the sign of the Son 
of Man in heaven ; and then shall all the tribes 
of the earth mourn, and then shall they see 
the Son of Man coming in the clouds of 
heaven with great power and great glory. And 
then shall He send His angels with a great 
42 



aueefca^ in Ibol? Weeft 



sound o£ a trumpet, and they shall gather to- 
gether His elect from the four winds, from the 
uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost 
part of the heaven. And when these things 
begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift 
up your heads; for your redemption draweth 
nigh." 

And He spake to them a parable. "Now 
learn a parable of the fig tree. Behold the fig 
tree and all the trees. When her branch is yet 
tender and putteth forth leaves— when they 
now shoot forth — ye see and know of your own 
selves that Summer is now nigh at hand. So 
likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things 
come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of 
God is nigh at hand, even at the doors. Verily 
I say unto you that this generation shall not 
pass away until all these things be fulfilled. 
Heaven and earth shall pass away; but My 
words shall not pass away. But of that day 
and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels 
of heaven, neither the Son, but My Father only. 
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time 
your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and 
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that 
day come upon you unawares. For as a snare 
shall it come on all them that dwell on the 
face of the whole earth. 

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also 
the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in 
the days that were before the flood they were 
eating and drinking, marrying and giving in 
marriage, until the day that Noe entered into 
the ark, and knew not until the flood came and 
took them all away ; so shall also the coming of 
the Son of Man be. Then shall two be in the 

43 



Zhe passion of our Xorfc 



field ; the one shall be taken and the other left. 
Two women shall be grinding at the mill, the 
one shall be taken and the other left. Take 
ye heed, watch, therefore, and pray; for ye 
know not when the time is, what hour your 
Lord doth come. But know this, that if the 
goodman of the house had known in what 
watch the thief would come, he would have 
watched, and would not have suffered his house 
to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready; 
for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of 
Man cometh. 

"For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far 
journey, who left his house, and gave authority 
to his servants, and to every man his work, and 
commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye, 
therefore, for ye know not when the Master 
of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, 
or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; 
lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. 
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom 
his lord hath made ruler over his household, 
to give them meat in due season? Blessed is 
that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, 
shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you 
that he shall make him ruler over all his 
goods. But if that evil servant shall say in 
his heart 'My lord delayeth his coming;' and 
shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and 
to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord 
of that servant shall come in a day when he 
looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is 
not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and 
appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: 
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye 
44 



Gues&a? in faoi? Meet; 



may be accounted worthy to escape all these 
things that shall come to pass, and to stand 
before the Son of Man. And what I say unto 
you, I say unto all, watch." 

2. Three Parables Concerning the Last Things 

(i.) The Ten Virgins 

Matt. 25:1-13 

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be lik- 
ened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, 
and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And 
five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 
They that were foolish took their lamps, and 
took no oil with them: but the wise took oil 
in their vessels with their lamps. While the 
bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and 
slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, 
'Behold, the bridegroom cometh ; go ye out to 
meet him/ Then all those virgins arose, and 
trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said 
unto the wise, 'Give us of your oil; for our 
lamps are gone out.' But the wise answered, 
saying, 'Not so; lest there be not enough for 
us and you : but go ye rather to them that sell, 
and buy for yourselves.' And while they went 
to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that 
were ready went in with him to the marriage : 
and the door was shut. Afterward came also 
the other virgins, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open 
to us.' But he answered and said, 'Verily I 
say unto you, I know you not.' Watch, 
therefore; for ye know neither the day nor 
the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." 



45 



Gbe passion of our Xorfc 



(2.) The Talents 

Matt. 25:14-30 

"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man 
traveling into a far country, who called his own 
servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 
And unto one he gave five talents, to another 
two, and to another one ; to every man accord- 
ing to his several ability; and straightway 
took his journey. Then he that had received 
the five talents went and traded with the same, 
and made them other five talents. And like- 
wise he that had received two, he also gained 
other two. But he that had received one went 
and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's 
money. After a long time the lord of those 
servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 
And so he that had received five talents came 
and brought other five talents, saying, 'Lord, 
thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, 
I have gained beside them five talents more.' 
His lord said unto him, 'Well done, thou good 
and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful 
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over 
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy 
lord.' He also that had received two talents 
came and said, 'Lord, thou deliveredst unto 
me two talents: behold, I have gained two 
other talents beside them/ His lord said unto 
him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; 
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I 
will make thee ruler over many things; enter 
thou into the joy of thy lord.' Then he which 
had received the one talent came and said, 
'Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, 
46 



reaping where thou hast not sown, and gather- 
ing where thou hast not strewed: and I was 
afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the 
earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine/ His 
lord answered and said unto him, 'Thou 
wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that 
I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I 
have not strewed: thou oughtest therefore to 
have put my money to the exchangers, and 
then at my coming I should have received 
mine own with usury. Take therefore the 
talent from him, and give it unto him which 
hath ten talents/ For unto every one that 
hath shall be given, and he shall have abun- 
dance: but from him that hath not shall be 
taken away even that which he hath. And cast 
ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness : 
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 

(3.) The Judgment o£ the Nations 

Matt. 25:31-46 

"When the Son of Man shall come in His 
glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then 
shall He sit upon the throne of His glory. And 
before Him shall be gathered all nations : and 
He shall separate them one from another, as 
a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats : 
and He shall set the sheep on his right hand, 
but the goats on the left. Then shall the King 
say unto them on His right hand, 'Come, ye 
blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom 
prepared for you from the foundation of the 
world : for I was a hungered, and ye gave Me 
meat : I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink : I 
was a stranger, and ye took Me in : naked, and 
47 



Gbe passion of our Xor& 



ye clothed Me : I was sick, and ye visited Me : 
I was in prison, and ye came unto Me/ Then 
shall the righteous answer Him, saying, 'Lord, 
when saw we Thee a hungered, and fed Thee? 
or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw 
we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or 
naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we 
Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?' 
And the King shall answer and say unto them, 
'Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have 
done it unto one of the least of these My breth- 
ren, ye have done it unto Me.' Then shall He 
say also unto them on the left hand, 'Depart 
from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, pre- 
pared for the devil and his angels : for I was a 
hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was 
thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: I was a 
stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and 
ye clothed Me not : sick, and in prison, and ye 
visited Me not.' Then shall they also answer 
Him, saying, 'Lord, when saw we Thee a hun- 
gered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or 
sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto 
Thee?' Then shall He answer them, saying, 
'Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it 
not to one of the least of these, ye did it not 
to Me.' And these shall go away into ever- 
lasting punishment : but the righteous into life 
eternal." 

3. The Approach of the Passover 
Matt. 26:1, 2; Mark 14:1 

After two days was the Feast of the Pass- 
over, and of unleavened bread. And it came 
48 



ZCues&a? in 1bol$ THHeeft 



to pass when Jesus had finished all these say- 
ings, He said unto His disciples, "Ye know 
that after two days is the Feast of the Pass- 
over, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be 
crucified." 

COLLECT FOR TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK 

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us grace so 
to pass through this holy time of our Lord's passion, 
that we may obtain the pardon of our sins; through 
the same, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with 
Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world 
without end. Amen. 



4 



49 



"Let us run with patience the race that is set 
before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Fin- 
isher of our faith." 

—The Writer to the Hebrews 



"Name of Jesus, softly stealing 

O'er a world of strife and shame, 
Thou canst bring us heavenly healing, 

O Thou all-restoring Name. 
Name of Jesus, Heaven of gladness, 

Cause our doubts and fears to cease; 
Soothe away the aching sadness; 

Name of Jesus, give us peace." 



* 



50 



THE EVENTS OF WEDNESDAY 
IN HOLY WEEK 



Wednesday, April 5, A. D. 30 
Jewish Fourth Day, Nisan 13, A. U. C. 783 

It seems probable that Jesus spent this day in 
retirement, with His disciples, at Bethany, gathering 
strength for the coming conflict. Judas Iscariot had 
gone out into the night, from the supper at Bethany, 
in a tumult of envy and hate. Satan had taken com- 
plete possession of him, and he now seeks the rulers, 
and enters into a covenant with them to betray Jesus 
unto them, for thirty pieces of silver, about fifteen 
dollars, the price of a slave. It seems probable that 
this took place on the evening of this day. 

Matt. 26:3-5, 14-16; Mark 14:1, 2, 10, 11; Luke 22:1-6 

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew 
nigh, which is called the Passover. Then 
assembled together the chief priests and the 
scribes and the elders of the people, unto the 
palace of the high priest, who was called Caia- 
phas, and consulted and sought how they 
might take Jesus by subtilty and put Him to 
death; for they feared the people. But they 
said, "Not on the feast day, lest there be an 
uproar among the people." 

Then entered Satan into Judas, surnamed 
Iscariot, being of the number of the Twelve. 
And he went his way unto the chief priests, 
and communed with the chief priests and cap- 
tains, how he might betray Him unto them, 
and said unto them, "What will ye give me, 
and I will deliver Him unto you?" And when 

51 



Gbe passion of our %ovt> 



they heard it they were glad, and promised to 
give him money. And they covenanted with 
him for thirty pieces of silver. And he prom- 
ised, and from that time he sought opportunity 
how he might conveniently betray Him unto 
them, in the absence of the multitude. 

THE COLLECT FOR WEDNESDAY IN 
HOLY WEEK 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, 
who for our evil deeds are continually afflicted, may 
mercifully be relieved by the passion of Thine only 
begotten Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee 
and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without 
end. Amen. 



52 



"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in 
God, believe also in Me." 

—The Christ 

"For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and 
by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto 
glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect 
through suffering." 

—The Writer to the Hebrews 

"Go to dark Gethsemane, 

Ye that feel the tempter's power; 
Your Redeemer's conflict see; 

Watch with Him one bitter hour; 
Turn not from His griefs away; 
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray." 

— James Montgomery 

"O Garden of Olives, thou dear honored spot, 
The fame of thy wonders shall ne'er be forgot; 
The theme most transporting to seraphs above; 
The triumph of sorrow, the triumph of love." 

— M. De Fleury 



m 



54 



THE EVENTS OF THURSDAY 

IN HOLY WEEK 

Thursday, April 6, A. D. 30 

Jewish Fifth Day, Nisan 14, A. U. C. 783 

I. The Preparation for the Passover 
II. The Celebration of the Passover and the 
Institution of the Lord's Supper 

III. The Farewell Discourse and the High- 

Priestly Prayer 

IV. The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane 

I. THE PREPARATION FOR THE 
PASSOVER 

The lambs intended for the paschal sacrifice were 
selected on the tenth of Nisan. (It was on the 
tenth of Nisan that Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb, 
entered Jerusalem.) The fourteenth of Nisan was 
the first day of the feast of the Passover, because on 
that day all leaven was removed from the dwellings, 
the paschal lamb was slain, and all other prepara- 
tions completed for the feast. The fifteenth was 
properly the first day of the feast of Unleavened 
Bread, because on that day the Paschal Supper was 
eaten, and the seven days' feast actually began. 
Thursday afternoon, Nisan fourteenth, Jesus sends 
two disciples into the city to select a paschal lamb 
from those set apart for that purpose, and offered 
for sale, and to make all other needful preparations, 
at a designated place, possibly the house of a secret 
disciple of Jesus. About sunset of Thursday, the 
fourteenth of Nisan, just as the Jewish Sixth Day, 
the fifteenth, was beginning, Jesus with His disciples 
enters the city to observe the Passover Feast. 

Matt. 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13 

Then came the day of unleavened bread, 
when the Passover must be killed. And the 

55 



Ztbe lpaseton of our Xor& 



first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the 
disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, 
"Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare for 
Thee that Thou mayest eat the Passover?" 
And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, 
Peter and John, and saith unto them, "Go and 
prepare us the Passover that we may eat. Go 
ye and behold, when ye are entered into the 
city, there shall meet you a man bearing a 
pitcher of water; follow him into the house, 
where he entereth in. And wheresoever he 
shall go in, ye shall say unto the goodman of 
the house, 'The Master saith, My time is at 
hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house. 
Where is the guest chamber, where I shall keep 
the Passover with My disciples?' And he will 
show you a large upper room furnished and 
prepared ; there make ready for us." 

And His disciples went forth and came into 
the city, and found as He had said unto them; 
and did as Jesus had appointed them ; and they 
made ready the Passover. 

II. THE CELEBRATION OF THE PASSOVER 
AND THE INSTITUTION OF THE 
LORD'S SUPPER 

i. The Contention among the Twelve 

It was on Thursday evening that our Saviour 
celebrated that ever-memorable feast with His dis- 
ciples. The Jewish fifth day would end and the 
sixth day begin at sunset. The Passover was ob- 
served, therefore, on the evening of our Thursday 
and on the eve of the Jewish sixth day, Nisan 15th. 
One of the first incidents of the evening was the 
unhappy contention of the Twelve, over the places 
of honor at that feast. This gave occasion to our 
Lord to teach them that striking object lesson on 

56 



humility, by taking the slave's place and washing 
the disciples' feet. 

Matt. 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14-18, 24-30; 
John 13:1-17 

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when 
Jesus knew that His hour was come, that He 
should depart out of this world unto the 
Father, having loved His own which were in 
the world, He loved them unto the end. And 
in the evening, when the hour was come, He 
sat down and the twelve Apostles with Him. 
And He said unto them : 

"With desire I have desired to eat this Pass- 
over with you before I suffer; for I say unto 
you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it 
be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 

And He took the cup, and gave thanks and 
said, "Take this and divide it among your- 
selves : for I say unto you, I will not drink of 
the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God 
shall come." 

And there was also a strife among them, 
which of them should be accounted the great- 
est. And He said unto them, "The kings of 
the Gentiles exercise lordship over them ; and 
they that exercise authority upon them are 
called benefactors. But ye shall not be so; 
but he that is greatest among you, let him be 
as the younger; and he that is chief as he 
that doth serve. For whether is greater, he 
that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not 
he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you 
as he that serveth." 

And supper being ended, the devil having 
now put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, 
57 



Zbc passion of our XorD 



Simon's son, to betray Him; Jesus knowing 
that the Father had given all things into His 
hands, and that He was come from God and 
went to God ; He riseth from supper, and laid 
aside His garments, and took a towel, and 
girded Himself. After that He poureth water 
into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' 
feet, and to wipe them with the towel where- 
with He was girded. Then cometh He to 
Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, 
"Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?" Jesus an- 
swered and said unto him, "What I do thou 
knowest not now; but thou shalt know here- 
after." Peter saith unto Him, "Thou shalt 
never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, 
"If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with 
Me." Simon Peter saith unto Him, "Lord, 
not my feet only, but also my hands and my 
head." Jesus saith to him, "He that is washed 
needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean 
every whit: and ye are clean, but not all." 
For He knew, who should betray Him ; there- 
fore said He, "Ye are not all clean." 

So after He had washed their feet, and had 
taken His garments, and was set down again, 
He said unto them, "Know ye what I have 
done to you? Ye call Me Master and Lord: 
and ye say well ; for so I am. If I then, your 
Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye 
also ought to wash one another's feet. For I 
have given you an example, that ye should do 
as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say 
unto you, The servant is not greater than his 
lord; neither he that is sent greater than he 
that sent him. If ye know these things, happy 
are ve if ye do them." 

58 



2. The Traitor Pointed Out 

The mention of the kingdom appointed to His 
disciples suggests a notable exception, and then His 
approaching betrayal is distinctly announced, and 
the traitor is significantly pointed out. Judas with- 
draws into the darkness of the night, and Jesus can- 
not but express His deep sense of relief. When 
Peter professes his ardent devotion to his Master, 
even unto death, Jesus foretells, for the first time, 
Peter's denial. 

Matt. 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21; Luke 22:21-23; 
John 13:18-38 

"I speak not of you all: I know whom I 
have chosen: but that the Scripture may be 
fulfilled, *'He that eateth bread with Me hath 
lifted up his heel against Me.' Now I tell you 
before it come, that, when it is come to pass, 
ye may believe that I am He. Verily, verily, 
I say unto you, He that receiveth whomso- 
ever I send receiveth Me; and he that receiv- 
eth Me receiveth Him that sent Me." 

When Jesus had thus said, He was troubled 
in spirit. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus 
testified and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto 
you, that one of you which eateth with Me 
shall betray Me. But behold, the hand of 
him that betrayeth Me is with Me on the 
table." Then the disciples looked one on an- 
other, doubting of whom He spake; and they 
began to inquire among themselves, which of 
them it was that should do this thing. And 
they were exceeding sorrowful, and they be- 
gan, every one of them to say unto Him, one 
by one, "Lord, is it I?" And He answered 



* Ps. 41:9 



59 



Zhe ffmesion of our XorD 



and said unto them, "He that dippeth his hand 
with Me in the dish, one of the twelve, the 
same shall betray Me. And truly the Son of 
Man goeth, as it was determined, as it is writ- 
ten of Him ; but woe unto that man by whom 
the Son of Man is betrayed; good were it for 
that man if he had never been born." Then 
Judas, which betrayed Him, answered and 
said, "Master, is it I?" He said unto him, 
"Thou hast said." Now there was leaning on 
Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus 
loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to 
him, that he should ask who it should be of 
whom He spake. He then lying on Jesus' 
breast saith unto Him, "Lord, who is it?" 
Jesus answered, "He it is, to whom I shall 
give a sop, when I have dipped it." And 
when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to 
Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after 
the sop Satan entered into him. Then said 
Jesus unto him, "That thou doest, do quickly." 

Now no man at the table knew for what 
intent He spake this unto him. For some of 
them thought, because Judas had the bag, that 
Jesus had said unto him, "Buy those things that 
we have need of against the feast ;" or, that he 
should give something to the poor. He then, 
having received the sop, went immediately 
out ; and it was night. 

Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus 
said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and 
God is glorified in Him. If God be glorified 
in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, 
and shall straightway glorify Him. Little 
children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye 
shall seek Me; and as I said unto the Jews, 
60 



'Whither I go, ye cannot come;' so now I say 
to you. A new commandment I give unto 
you, That ye love one another; as I have 
loved you, that ye also love one another. By 
this shall all men know that ye are my dis- 
ciples, if ye have love one to another." 

Simon Peter said unto Him, "Lord, whither 
goest Thou?" Jesus answered him, "Whither 
I go, thou canst not follow Me now ; but thou 
shalt follow Me afterwards." Peter said unto 
Him, "Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now? 
I will lay down my life for Thy sake." Jesus 
answered him, "Wilt thou lay down thy life 
for My sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 
The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied 
Me thrice." 

3. Jesus Institutes the Lord's Supper 

The institution of the Lord's Supper apparently 
took place at the close of the Passover meal, after 
the traitor had withdrawn and Peter's denial had 
been foretold, and in connection with the third cup 
of the meal, the "cup of blessing." Our Lord uses 
in the institution of this feast of Divine love the 
simple elements that remained from the Paschal 
Supper — bread and wine. The account of St. Paul 
is also subjoined, as he received it from the Lord. 

Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20 

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, 
and gave thanks, and blessed and brake it, and 
gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take, eat, 
this is My body which is given for you: this 
do in remembrance of Me." Likewise also 
after the supper, He took the cup, and when 
He had given thanks, He gave it to them, say- 
ing, "Drink ye all of it." And they all drank 
61 



£be passion of our Xor5 



of it. And He said unto them, "This cup is 
the New Testament in My blood which is shed 
for you ; for this is My blood of the New Tes- 
tament, which is shed for many for the remis- 
sion of sins. Verily I say unto you, I will 
not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, 
until that day when I drink it new with you 
in My Father's kingdom, the kingdom of God." 

Saint Paul's Account 

I Cor. 11:23-26 

For I have received of the Lord that which 
also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, 
the same night in which he was betrayed, took 
bread: and when He had given thanks, He 
brake it, and said, "Take, eat ; this is My body, 
which is broken for you: this do in remem- 
brance of Me." After the same manner also 
He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, 
"This cup is the New Testament in My blood : 
this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance 
of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and 
drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death 
till He come." 

4. Jesus Foretells a Second Time Peter's 
Denial 

It seems clear that our Lord made three distinct 
predictions of Peter's denial. First (John 13:36-38)., 
when impetuous Peter protests his undying devo- 
tion to Jesus, suggested by the Saviour's mention of 
going away. Second (Luke 22:31-38), following the 
institution of the Lord's Supper, with which it seems 
to be in close connection. The third (Matt. 26:31-35, 
Mark 14:27-31), occurred after they had sung a hymn, 
and were on their way to Gethsemane. 

62 



Gbure&a? in 1bol\> Week 



Luke 22:31-38 

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, 
Satan hath desired to have you, that he may 
sift you as wheat : but I have prayed for thee, 
that thy faith fail not: and when thou art 
converted, strengthen thy brethren." 

And he said unto Him, "Lord, I am ready 
to go with thee, both into prison, and to 
death." And He said, "I tell thee, Peter, the 
cock shall not crow this day, before that thou 
shalt thrice deny that thou knowest Me." And 
He said unto them, "When I sent you without 
purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any 
thing?" And they said, "Nothing." Then 
said He unto them, "But now, he that hath a 
purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: 
and he that hath no sword, let him sell his 
garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, 
that this that is written must yet be accom- 
plished in Me, 'And he was reckoned among 
the transgressors:' for the things concerning 
Me have an end." And they said, "Lord, be- 
hold, here are two swords." And He said unto 
them, "It is enough." 

III. THE FAREWELL DISCOURSE AND THE 
HIGH-PRIESTLY PRAYER 

1. Jesus' Farewell Discourse 

Nowhere in all the discourses of Jesus do we touch 
sublimer heights or sound deeper depths, or feel 
more sensibly the throbbing of His great heart of 
love, than in this farewell discourse. "This," says 
Luther, "is, indeed, the best and most comforting 
sermon which the Lord Jesus ever delivered upon 

63 



Zhe passion of our Xorfc 



earth; ... a treasure and a jewel, with which 
nothing that the world has to offer can be com- 
pared." It was delivered in the sanctity of that 
"upper room," and with the shadow of the cross 
already upon Him. His great object is to comfort 
them, and to lead them into mysteries of truth for 
which they had not until this time been prepared. 
After those ever-memorable words concerning the 
"many mansions" and His going away, He announces 
the coming of the other "Comforter," sets forth 
their union to Him under the allegory of the vine 
and its branches, and their relation to Him and to 
the Father. During His discourse, He had risen, 
and with that little circle of His own about Him, 
He closes the whole with that marvelous inter- 
cessory prayer. 

John 14:1-16:33 

"Let not your heart be troubled : ye believe 
in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's 
house are many mansions: if it were not so, 
I would have told you. I go to prepare a 
place for you. And if I go and prepare a 
place for you, I will come again, and receive 
you unto myself; that where I am, there ye 
may be also. And whither I go ye know, and 
the way ye know." Thomas saith unto Him, 
"Lord, we know not whither Thou goest ; and 
how can we know the way?" Jesus saith unto 
him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: 
no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. 
If ye had known Me, ye should have known 
My Father also: and from henceforth ye 
know Him, and have seen Him." Philip 
saith unto Him, "Lord, shew us the Father, 
and it sufficeth us." Jesus saith unto him, 
"Have I been so long time with you, and yet 
hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath 
seen Me hath seen the Father ; and how sayest 
64 



thou then, 'Shew us the Father?' Believest 
thou not that I am in the Father, and the 
Father in Me? the words that I speak unto 
you I speak not of Myself: but the Father 
that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. 
Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the 
Father in Me : or else believe Me for the very 
works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, 
he that believeth on Me the works that I do 
shall he do also ; and greater works than these 
shall he do; because I go unto My Father. 
And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name that 
will I do, that the Father may be glorified in 
the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My 
name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep my 
commandments. And I will pray the Father, 
and He shall give you another Comforter, that 
He may abide with you for ever; even the 
Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot re- 
ceive, because it seeth Him not, neither know- 
eth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth 
with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave 
you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a 
little while, and the world seeth Me no more; 
but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live 
also. At that day ye shall know that I am in 
My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. He 
that hath My commandments, and keepeth 
them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that 
loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and 
I will love him, and will manifest Myself to 
him." 

Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, "Lord, 
how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself 
unto us, and not unto the world?" Jesus an- 
swered and said unto him, "If a man love Me, 
65 

5 



Zhe passion of our Xorfc 



he will keep My words, and My Father will 
love him, and We will come unto him, and 
make our abode with him. He that loveth Me 
not keepeth not My sayings: and the word 
which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's 
which sent Me. These things have I spoken 
unto you, being yet present with you. But 
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, 
Whom the Father will send in My name, He 
shall teach you all things, and bring all 
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I 
have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, 
My peace I give unto you: not as the world 
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart 
be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have 
heard how I said unto you, 'I go away, and 
come again unto you/ If ye loved Me, ye 
would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the 
Father : for My Father is greater than I. And 
now I have told you before it come to pass, 
that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for 
the prince of this world cometh, and hath 
nothing in Me. But that the world may know 
that I love the Father ; and as the Father gave 
Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us 
go hence. 

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the 
husbandman. Every branch in Me that bear- 
eth not fruit He taketh away: and every 
branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that 
it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are 
clean through the word which I have spoken 
unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the 
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it 
abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye 
66 



abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the 
branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in 
him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for 
without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide 
not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is 
withered; and men gather them, and cast 
them into the fire, and they are burned. If 
ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, 
ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done 
unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, 
that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My 
disciples. 

"As the Father hath loved Me, so have I 
loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye 
keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My 
love; even as I have kept my Father's com- 
mandments, and abide in His love. These 
things have I spoken unto you, that My joy 
might remain in you, and that your joy might 
be full. This is My commandment, That ye 
love one another, as I have loved you. Greater 
love hath no man than this, that a man lay 
down his life for his friends. Ye are my 
friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the 
servant knoweth not what his lord doeth : but 
I have called you friends; for all things that 
I have heard of My Father I have made known 
unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have 
chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should 
go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit 
should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask 
of the Father in My name, He may give it you. 
These things I command you, that ye love one 
another. 

"If the world hate you, ye know that it 
67 



Gbe passion of our Xort> 



hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of 
the world, the world would love his own ; but 
because ye are not of the world, but I have 
chosen you out of the world, therefore the 
world hateth you. Remember the word that I 
said unto you, 'The servant is not greater than 
his lord.' If they have persecuted Me, they 
will also persecute you; if they have kept My 
saying, they will keep yours also. But all 
these things will they do unto you for My 
name's sake, because they know not Him that 
sent Me. If I had not come and spoken unto 
them, they had not had sin ; but now they have 
no cloak for their sin. He that hateth Me 
hateth My Father also. If I had not done 
among them the works which none other man 
did, they had not had sin : but now have they 
both seen and hated both Me and My Father. 
But this cometh to pass, that the word might 
be fulfilled that is written in their law, 'They 
hated Me without a cause.' But when the 
Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto 
you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, 
which proceedeth from the Father, He shall 
testify of Me: and ye also shall bear witness, 
because ye have been with Me from the be- 
ginning. These things have I spoken unto 
you, that ye should not be offended. They 
shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the 
time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will 
think that he doeth God service. And these 
things will they do unto you, because they 
have not known the Father, nor Me. But 
these things have I told you, that when the 
time shall come, ye may remember that I told 
you of them. 

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Gburs&a? in 1bol£ Week 



"And these things I said not unto you at 
the beginning, because I was with you. But 
now I go My way to Him that sent Me ; and 
none of you asketh Me, 'Whither goeth Thou?' 
But because I have said these things unto you, 
sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless 
I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you 
that I go away: for if I go not away, the 
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I 
depart, I will send Him unto you. And when 
He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, 
and of righteousness, and of judgment: of 
sin, because they believe not on Me; of right- 
eousness, because I go to My Father, and ye 
see Me no more; of judgment, because the 
prince of this world is judged. I have yet many 
things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear 
them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of 
truth, is come, He will guide you into all 
truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; 
but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He 
speak: and He will shew you things to come. 
He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of 
Mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things 
that the Father hath are Mine : therefore said 
I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew 
it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not 
see Me : and again, a little while, and ye shall 
see Me, because I go to the Father." 

Then said some of His disciples among 
themselves, "What is this that He saith unto 
us, *A little while, and ye shall not see Me,' 
and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me/ 
and, 'Because I go to the Father?' " They said 
therefore, "What is this that He saith, 'A little 
while?' we cannot tell what He saith." 

69 



Gbe passion of our Xorf> 



Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to 
ask Him, and said unto them, "Do ye inquire 
among yourselves of that I said, 'A little while, 
and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little 
while, and ye shall see Me?' Verily, verily, I 
say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, 
but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be 
sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned 
into joy. A woman when she is in travail 
hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but 
as soon as she is delivered of the child, she 
remembereth no more the anguish, for joy 
that a man is born into the world. And ye 
now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you 
again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your 
joy no man taketh from you. And in that day 
ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say 
unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father 
in my name, He will give it you. Hitherto 
have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and 
ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 
These things have I spoken unto you in prov- 
erbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no 
more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall 
shew you plainly of the Father. At that day 
ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto 
you, that I will pray the Father for you: for 
the Father Himself loveth you, because ye 
have loved Me, and have believed that I came 
out from God. I came forth from the Father, 
and am come into the world: again, I leave 
the world, and go to the Father." 

His disciples said unto Him, "Lo, now 
speakest Thou plainly, and speakest no prov- 
erb. Now are we sure that Thou knowest all 
things, and needest not that any man should 
70 



ask Thee: by this we believe that Thou earn- 
est forth from God." 

Jesus answered them, "Do ye now believe? 
Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, 
that ye shall be scattered, every man to his 
own, and shall leave Me alone: and yet I am 
not alone, because the Father is with Me. 
These things I have spoken unto you, that in 
Me ye might have peace. In the world ye 
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; 
I have overcome the world." 

2. Jesus' High-Priestly Prayer 

On Palm Sunday our Saviour had been hailed as 
a king; and indeed He did enter Jerusalem in royal 
state, fitly illustrating His kingly office. On Tues- 
day in the Temple courts and on Olivet, and here 
in the "upper room," He had exercised His pro- 
phetic, or teaching office. Now He enters upon His 
priestly. The functions of the High Priest were 
twofold, to offer intercession and sacrifice. Here 
our great High Priest offers intercession for His 
own, in words of such matchless sublimity as to 
stir our hearts to their depths, as we ponder them. 
On the morrow He will fulfill the other function of 
the High Priest, as He offers Himself in sacrifice 
for sin. In this wonderful prayer we are treading 
on holy ground. We enter the very holy of holies, 
and seem verily to touch the heart of God. Our 
heavenly High Priest, with unutterable tenderness 
of devotion, seems to gather His own of every age 
into His strong arms of love, and to hold them up 
before the Father in such prayer as never before 
fell from human lips. We can read it aright only 
under the shadow of the cross. 

John 17:1-26 

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His 
eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour is 
7i 



Zhc ffimssion of our %ort> 



come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also 
may glorify Thee: as Thou hast given Him 
power over all flesh, that He should give eter- 
nal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. 
And this is life eternal, that they might know 
Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, 
Whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee 
on the earth: I have finished the work which 
Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, 
glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with 
the glory which I had with Thee before the 
world was. I have manifested Thy name unto 
the men which Thou gavest Me out of the 
world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest 
them Me; and they have kept Thy word. 
Now they have known that all things whatso- 
ever Thou hast given Me are of Thee. For I 
have given unto them the words which Thou 
gavest Me; and they have received them, and 
have known surely that I came out from Thee, 
and they have believed that Thou didst send 
Me. I pray for them: I pray not for the 
world, but for them which Thou hast given 
Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are 
Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glori- 
fied in them. And now I am no more in the 
world, but these are in the world, and I come 
to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine 
own name those whom Thou hast given Me, 
that they may be one, as We are. While I 
was with them in the world, I kept them in 
Thy name : those that Thou gavest Me I have 
kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of 
perdition; that the Scripture might be ful- 
filled. And now come I to Thee; and these 
things I speak in the world, that they might 
72 



Gbursoa? in Iboty Meek 



have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have 
given them Thy word; and the world hath 
hated them because they are not of the world, 
even as I am not of the world. I pray not that 
Thou shouldest take them out of the world, 
but that Thou shouldest keep them from the 
evil. They are not of the world, even as I 
am not of the world. Sanctify them through 
Thy truth: Thy word is truth. As Thou 
hast sent Me into the world, even so have I 
also sent them into the world. And for their 
sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be 
sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I 
for these alone, but for them also which shall 
believe on Me through their word; that they 
all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, 
and I in Thee, that they also may be one in 
Us: that the world may believe that Thou 
hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou 
gavest Me I have given them; that they may 
be one, even as We are one: I in them, and 
Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect 
in one; and that the world may know that 
Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as 
Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they 
also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me 
where I am; that they may behold My glory, 
which Thou hast given Me : for Thou lovedst 
Me before the foundation of the world. O 
righteous Father, the world hath not known 
Thee : but I have known Thee, and these have 
known that Thou hast sent Me. And I have 
declared unto them Thy name, and will de- 
clare it; that the love wherewith Thou hast 
loved Me may be in them, and I in them." 



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Gbe lfmeskm of our XorD 



IV. IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE 

1. On the Way to Gethsemane 

At the conclusion of the sacerdotal prayer, and 
after singing the closing hymn of the Paschal Feast, 
Jesus with His disciples withdraws from the upper 
room, to an old olive garden across the Kedron, at 
the foot of Olivet. On the way thither He fore- 
tells again the dispersion of the disciples and, for 
the third time, Peter's denial. The time must have 
been about midnight of Thursday. 

Matt. 26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31; John 18:1 

When Jesus had spoken these words, and 
when they had sung a hymn, He went forth, 
as He was wont, over the brook Kedron, unto 
the Mount of Olives. And His disciples also 
followed Him. Then saith Jesus unto them, 
"All ye shall be offended because of Me this 
night ; for it is written, 'I will smite the shep- 
herd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scat- 
tered abroad.'* But after that I am risen 
again, I will go before you into Galilee." 

But Peter answered and said unto Him, 
"Though all men shall be offended because of 
Thee, yet will I never be offended." 

And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto 
thee, that this day, even in this night, before 
the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me 
thrice." But Peter said unto Him the more 
vehemently, "Though I should die with Thee, 
yet will I not deny Thee in any wise." 

Likewise also said all the disciples. 

2. The Agony in the Garden 
Arrived at the Garden, the main body of the dis- 



*Zech. 13:7 



74 



Gburs&a? in Ibol? Weeft 



ciples is left at the entrance. Then taking with Him 
Peter, James and John, He retires farther within its 
shade. But even these chosen ones cannot follow 
Him now. That awful struggle can be witnessed 
by no human eyes. Three successive times He 
casts Himself before the heavenly Father in such 
agony as mortals never knew. And three succes- 
sive times as He returns to His disciples He finds 
them sleeping. Ah, the weakness of this poor 
human flesh of ours. 

Into the awful mystery of that conflict in the 
Garden, we may not enter. Here we shall never 
know its full meaning. Suffice it to say that there 
the powers of evil did their worst upon the God- 
man, and failed. He drank the cup of human sin 
to its bitter dregs, and in full harmony with the 
Father's will, He comes forth, calm and serene, to 
meet the death of the cross. 

Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; 
John 18:1, 2 

Then cometh Jesus with them into a place 
called Gethsemane, where was a garden, into 
the which He entered and His disciples. And 
Judas also, which betrayed Hirn, knew the 
place ; for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with 
His disciples. And when He was at the place, 
He saith unto His disciples, "Pray that ye en- 
ter not into temptation. Sit ye here, while I 
go and pray yonder." 

And He took with Him Peter and the two 
sons of Zebedee, James and John, and began 
to be sorrowful, sore amazed and very heavy. 
Then saith He unto them, "My soul is ex- 
ceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye 
here and watch with Me." 

And He went forward a little further, and 
was withdrawn from them about a stone's 
cast, and kneeled down, and fell on His face 
75 



Gbe passion of our %ort> 



on the ground, and prayed that, if it were pos- 
sible, the hour might pass from Him. And 
He said, "O My Father, if it be possible, let 
this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as 
I will, but as Thou wilt. Abba, Father, all 
things are possible unto Thee; if Thou be 
willing take away this cup from Me; never- 
theless not My will, but Thine be done; not 
what I will, but what Thou wilt." 

And there appeared an angel unto Him from 
heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an 
agony He prayed more earnestly; and His 
sweat was as it were great drops of blood 
falling down to the ground. And when He 
rose up from prayer and was come to His dis- 
ciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow, 
and said unto them, "Why sleep ye? Rise and 
pray, lest ye enter into temptation." 

And He cometh unto the disciples and find- 
eth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, 
"Simon, sleepest thou? Couldest not thou 
watch one hour? What, could ye not watch 
with Me one hour? Watch ye and pray, that 
ye enter not into temptation : the spirit indeed 
is willing, but the flesh is weak." 

He went away again the second time and 
prayed and spake the same words, saying, "O 
My Father, if this cup may not pass away from 
Me except I drink it, Thy will be done." 

And when He returned He found them 
asleep again (for their eyes were heavy), 
neither wist they what to answer Him. And 
He left them and went away again, and prayed 
the third time, saying the same words. And 
when He rose up from prayer, and was come 
to His disciples the third time, He found them 
76 




THE PRAYER IN THE GARDEN 
'And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly." H. Hofmann 



Gburetm? in Ibols Weeft 



sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, 

"Sleep on now, and take your rest 

Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter 
into temptation. It is enough; behold the 
hour is come, and the Son of Man is betrayed 
into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go ; 
behold he is at hand that doth betray Me." 

COLLECT FOR THURSDAY IN HOLY WEEK 

O Lord God, Who hast left unto us in a won- 
derful sacrament a memorial of Thy Passion: grant, 
we beseech Thee, that we may so use this sacra- 
ment of Thy body and blood that the fruits of Thy 
redemption may continually be manifest in us; Thou 
Who livest and reignest with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



77 



"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw 
all men unto Me." 

—The Christ 

"Follow to Calvary- 
Tread where He trod — 
He, Who forever was 
SON OF GOD. 

"You who would love Him stand, 
Gaze at His face; 
Tarry awhile on your 
Earthly race. 

"As the swift moments fly 
Through the Blest Week, 
Read the great story the 
Cross will teach. 

"Is there no beauty, to 
You who pass by, 
In that lone Figure which 
Marks the sky?" 



78 



THE EVENTS OF GOOD FRIDAY 



Friday, April 7, A. D. 30 



Jewish Sixth Day, Nisan 15, A. U. C. 783 

I. Arrest of Jesus 

II. The Trial of Jesus 

III. The Crucifixion of Jesus 

IV. The Burial of Jesus. 

I. THE ARREST OF JESUS 

The agony of the Garden is past. Jesus had dis- 
cerned the coming of the mob to arrest Him. And 
now He goes forth, with His disciples, to meet them. 
Judas led the way. He was accompanied by Jewish 
leaders and representatives of the Sanhedrin; by 
Pharisees, scribes and elders of the people, with the 
usual crowd following. As a precaution they had 
secured a detachment of Roman soldiers from the 
garrison, in the Tower of Antonia, to act as a guard, 
— as though these would be needed to arrest their 
holy Victim. Jesus first addresses Judas by the old 
term of friend; but after his traitorous kiss, He ex- 
claims, "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with 
a kiss?" as though to wither his soul with His con- 
demnation of his false friendship. How graphic and 
thrilling is the whole account; — the false kiss, the 
parley with the leaders, Peter's impetuous act, the 
Lord's healing of the wounded Malchus, His solici- 
tation for His own, and their base desertion of Him 
in the hour of trial. 

Matt. 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; 
John 18:3-12 

And immediately, while He yet spake, lo, 
79 



Gbe passion of our %ovt> 



Judas, one of the twelve, having received a 
band of men and officers from the chief priests 
and Pharisees, and scribes and elders of the 
people, cometh thither, and with him a great 
multitude, with lanterns and torches, with 
swords and staves. Now he that betrayed 
Him had given them a token, saying, "Whom- 
soever I shall kiss, that same is He ; take Him, 
hold Him fast, and lead Him away safely." 
And he that was called Judas went before 
them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss Him. 
And Jesus said unto him, "Friend, wherefore 
art thou come?" 

And as soon as he was come, he goeth 
straightway to Him and saith, "Hail, Master, 
Master," and kissed Him. But Jesus said 
unto him, "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of 
Man with a kiss?" 

Jesus therefore knowing all things that 
should come upon Him, went forth and said 
unto them, "Whom seek ye?" They answered 
Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus saith unto 
them, "I am He." 

And Judas also which betrayed Him stood 
with them. As soon then as He had said unto 
them, "I am He!" they went backward, and 
fell to the ground. Then asked He them again, 
"Whom seek ye?" And they said, "Jesus of 
Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I have told you 
that I am He: if therefore ye seek Me, let 
these go their way." That the saying might 
be fulfilled, which He spake, "Of them which 
Thou hast given Me, have I lost none." 

Then came the band and the captains and 
officers of the Jews and laid hands on Jesus 
and took Him and bound Him. When they 
80 



<5oot> f rtfca? 



which were about Him saw what would fol- 
low, they said unto Him, "Lord, shall we 
smite with the sword?" And then, behold, one 
of them that stood by, which were with Jesus, 
Simon Peter, having a sword, stretched out 
his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a 
servant of the high priest and cut off his right 
ear. The servant's name was Malchus. And 
Jesus answered and said, "Suffer ye thus far." 
And He touched his ear and healed him. Then 
said Jesus unto Peter, "Put up thy sword again 
into the sheath ; for all they that take the 
sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest 
thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, 
and He shall presently give Me more than 
twelve legions of angels? But how then shall 
the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must 
be? The cup which My Father hath given 
Me, shall I not drink it?" 

In that same hour said Jesus to the multi- 
tudes, the chief priests, and captains of the 
temple, and the elders, which were come to 
Him, "Are ye come out as against a thief, 
with swords and staves to take Me? When 
I sat daily with you in the temple, teaching, 
ye stretched forth no hands against Me, and 
ye took Me not. But this is your hour and 
the power of darkness." 

But all this was done that the Scriptures of 
the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the 
disciples forsook Him and fled. And there fol- 
lowed Him a certain young man, having a 
linen cloth cast about his naked body; and 
the young men laid hold on him: and he left 
the linen cloth and fled from them naked. 



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Gbe passion of our Xorfc 



II. THE TRIAL OF JESUS 
i. The Ecclesiastical Trial 

Our Lord was subjected to a double trial, an eccle- 
siastical and a civil. He was arrested at the instance 
of the Jews. The charges against Him were purely 
Jewish. He was condemned to death by the Jews, 
but they had not the power to carry the sentence 
into effect. They must invoke the aid of the Roman. 
Hence the civil trial. Each trial had virtually three 
stages. Without entering into a discussion of the 
many points involved, the writer offers the follow- 
ing as a probable explanation of the order of events. 
The aged Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, 
the reigning high priest, and really a "power behind 
the throne." He would naturally be intensely inter- 
ested in the apprehension of the Nazarene. His 
palace may have adjoined that of Caiaphas, possibly 
just across the court yard from it; or Annas may 
have been awaiting the result of the movement to 
arrest Jesus, in a room in the palace of Caiaphas. 
To him Jesus is first taken as John tells us. What 
more natural than that Caiaphas should also be 
there, and because of his prominent official station 
be mentioned alone in that inquisitorial examination 
of Jesus? John 18:19-23. Meanwhile members of 
the Sanhedrin are assembling in another room of 
this same palace. After this first private examina- 
tion before Annas, Jesus is now hurried thither, and 
before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin His trial proper 
takes place, if it may be called a trial at all. The 
examination before Annas must have been brief and 
hurried. It at least afforded the crafty Annas an 
opportunity to see bound the young rabbi, whom he 
looked upon as an implacable enemy for His severe 
denunciations of the hypocrisies of his party. 

(1.) The Private Examination before Annas 

John 18:12-14, 19:24 

Then the band and the captains and the 
officers of the Jews, took Jesus and bound Him, 

82 



<5oot> jfrifca? 



and led Him away to Annas first; for he was 
father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was high 
priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he 
which gave counsel to the Jews that it was 
expedient that one man should die for the 
people. The high priest then asked Jesus of 
His disciples and of His doctrine. Jesus an- 
swered him, "I spake openly to the world; I 
ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, 
whither the Jews always resort ; and in secret 
have I said nothing. Why askest thou Me? 
Ask them which heard Me what I have said 
unto them: behold they know what I said." 

And when He had thus spoken, one of the 
officers which stood by struck Jesus with the 
palm of his hand, saying, "Answerest Thou 
the high priest so?" Jesus answered him, 
"If I have spoken evil bear witness of the evil : 
but if well, why smitest thou Me?" 

Now Annas had sent (Annas therefore sent, 
R. V.) Him bound unto Caiaphas the high 
priest. 

(2.) The Trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin 

This was the second stage of the ecclesiastical 
trial of Jesus, and took place before Caiaphas and 
some members of the Sanhedrin. It occurred in a 
room of the high priest's palace, and in close prox- 
imity to the place of examination by Annas. The 
enemies of Jesus were put to hard shifts. They had 
great difficulty in securing any evidence against Him. 
Finally two so-called witnesses appeared, but their 
testimony conflicted. Then an effort is made to get 
Jesus to convict Himself. At first He preserves a 
dignified silence. When adjured, or put upon oath, 
by the high priest, He acknowledges that He is the 
Son of God. He is adjudged guilty of blasphemy. 
But His condemnation lacked legality, as a formal 

83 



Zbc passion of our %ovt> 



and legal meeting of the Sanhedrin could not be 
held until after day-break. 

Matt. 26:57-66; Mark 14:53-64; Luke 22:54, 55 J 
John 18:15, 16, 18 

And they that had laid hold on Jesus, then 
took Him and led Him away, and brought Him 
into the high priest's house, to Caiphas, the 
high-priest, and with him were assembled all 
the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 
And Simon Peter followed Jesus afar off, even 
unto the high-priest's palace, and so did an- 
other disciple; that disciple was known unto 
the high priest, and went in with Jesus into 
the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood 
at the door without. Then went out that 
other disciple, which was known unto the high 
priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, 
and brought in Peter. And the servants and 
officers stood there who had made a fire of 
coals (for it was cold) ; and they warmed 
themselves, and Peter stood with them, and 
warmed himself at the fire. And when they 
had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and 
were set down together, Peter sat down among 
them, to see the end. 

Now the chief priests and elders and all the 
Council sought for false witness against Jesus 
to put Him to death, but found none; yea, 
though many false witnesses came, yet found 
they none. For many bare false witness 
against Him, but their witness agreed not to- 
gether. And at the last there arose certain — 
two false witnesses — and bare false witness 
against Him, saying, "This fellow said, 'I am 
able to destroy the temple of God, and to build 
84 



it in three days/ We heard Him say, 'I will 
destroy this temple that is made with hands, 
and within three days I will build another 
made without hands.' " But neither so did 
their witness agree together. 

And the high priest arose, and stood up in 
the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, "Answer- 
est Thou nothing? What is it which these 
witness against Thee?" But Jesus held His 
peace and answered nothing. And again the 
high priest asked Him, and said unto Him, 
"Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 
I adjure Thee by the living God that Thou 
tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son 
of God?" 

Jesus said unto him, "Thou hast said. I 
am. And nevertheless I say unto you, here- 
after shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on 
the right hand of power, and coming in the 
clouds of heaven." 

Then the high priest rent his clothes, say- 
ing, "He hath spoken blasphemy. What fur- 
ther need have we of witnesses? Behold now 
ye have heard His blasphemy; what think 
ye?" They answered and said, "He is guilty 
of death." And they all condemned Him to 
be guilty of death. 

(3-) Jesus Is Derided and Buffeted 

The first session of the Sanhedrin has adjourned 
until after daylight. And then those who have the 
custody of Jesus begin to insult and abuse Him. 
Their insults take the form of ridicule of His pro- 
phetic claims. Blindfolding Him they struck Him 
with sticks and the palms of their hands, and then 
insolently asked Him to prove Himself a prophet 
by telling the names of those who struck Him. Even 

85 



ZCbe passion of our Xorfc 



the servants take a hand in this awful mockery of 
the Son of God. Oh, the depths of His humiliation 
in working out our redemption. 

Matt. 26:67, 68; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:63-65 

And the men that held Jesus mocked Him 
and smote Him. And some began to spit in 
His face, and to cover His face and to buffet 
Him. And others, when they had blindfolded 
Him, struck Him on the face with the palms 
of their hands, and asked Him, saying, "Proph- 
esy unto us, Thou Christ, who is he that smote 
Thee?" And many other things blasphemously 
spake they against Him. And the servants 
did strike Him with the palms of their hands. 

(4.) The Denials of Peter 

It was during this time, from His examination by 
Annas to His second trial by the Sanhedrin, that the 
denials of Peter occurred. If the examination by 
Annas took place in a building or an apartment con- 
nected with the palace of Caiaphas, and opening on 
to the same interior court, the circumstances are 
easily understood. Oriental houses were usually 
built around an interior paved court. The rooms, 
or lewins, were opened on to this court, but were 
usually elevated somewhat above it. The entrance 
was through a passage beneath the front of the 
house, and called in our version the "porch." At 
that season the air would be quite chilly in the early 
morning, so that the soldiers and attendants would 
naturally gather around a fire of coals, made on the 
paved floor of the court. 

On three separate occasions during this morning 
Peter denied his Lord. But this does not mean 
that he made only three separate statements of 
denial. Rather there are three occasions on which 
there is a group of denials made in response to 
charges of discipleship by some individual, and re- 
86 



(Boob 3friba$ 



echoed by others. The text makes this plain. For 
instance, in the first denial, as Peter sat without in 
the court, one of the maids of the high priest said 
to those standing by, who had evidently been dis- 
cussing the prisoner, Jesus, "This man was also with 
Him." Luke 22:56. Then turning to Peter she ex- 
claims, "And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth 
of Galilee." Matt. 26:69, Mark 14:69. Peter denies 
it. But his bold denial starts up the female door- 
keeper who had admitted Peter, and she asks in 
surprise, "Art not thou also one of this man's dis- 
ciples?" And again he denies. Then he goes out 
into the covered passage leading to the street, "the 
porch," and presently another maid sees him and 
says to the bystanders, "This is one of them. This 
fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth." But Peter 
denies with an oath. Then a man takes it up, ex- 
claiming, "Thou art also of them." And Peter said, 
"Man, I am not." About an hour after, Peter is 
again near the fire, when he is charged by several 
persons, among them a kinsman of Malchus, with 
being a disciple, drawing a proof from his Galilean 
accent. And again he denies, when a chorus of 
voices seems to join in the accusation. This so 
excites poor Peter that he begins to emphasize his 
denials with oaths and curses. And then the cock 
crew the second time, and from His elevated posi- 
tion the Lord turned and looked on Peter. 



Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-62; 
John 18:17, 25-27 

a. The First Denial 

And as Peter sat without — beneath — in the 
palace, there cometh unto him a certain one 
of the maids of the high priest, and when she 
saw Peter, as he sat by the fire warming him- 
self, she earnestly looked upon him and said, 
"This man was also with Him." "And thou 
also wast with Jesus of Nazareth of Galilee." 
But he denied Him before them all, saying, 
87 



Zbc passion of our Xorfc 



"Woman, I know Him not. I know not neither 
understand I what thou sayest." 

Then saith the damsel that kept the door 
unto Peter, "Art not thou also one of this 
man's disciples ?" He saith, "I am not." And 
he went out into the porch and the cock crew. 

b. The Second Denial 

And when he was gone out into the porch, 
and after a little while, another maid saw him, 
and began to say to them that were there, 
"This is one of them. This fellow was also 
with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he de- 
nied with an oath, "I do not know the man." 
And another saw him and said, "Thou art also 
of them." And Peter said, "Man, I am not." 

c. The Third Denial 

And after awhile, about the space of one 
hour after, Simon Peter stood and warmed 
himself. They said therefore unto him, "Art 
not thou also one of His disciples?" He de- 
nied it and said, "I am not." One of the ser- 
vants of the high priest, being his kinsman 
whose ear Peter cut off, saith, "Did not I see 
thee in the garden with Him?" Peter then 
denied again. And another confidently af- 
firmed, saying, "Of a truth, this fellow also 
was with Him; for he is a Galilean." And 
Peter said, "Man, I know not what thou say- 
est." And they that stood by came unto him, 
and said again to Peter, "Surely thou also art 
one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 
For thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth 
88 



(Boot) Jrt&as 



thereto." Then began he to curse and to 
swear, saying, "I know not this man of whom 
ye speak." And immediately, while he yet 
spake, the second time the cock crew. And 
the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. And 
Peter remembered the word of the Lord, the 
word that Jesus said unto him, "Before the 
cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice." 
And when he thought thereon Peter went out, 
and wept bitterly. 

(5.) The Formal Trial and Condemnation by the 
Sanhedrin 

After daybreak the Great Jewish Council is for- 
mally convened. Jesus was practically condemned 
at the earlier examination. But the meeting being 
held at night, was irregular and illegal. The pres- 
ent trial was quite brief, and was possibly more a 
matter of form, and for the purpose of ratifying the 
sentence of condemnation previously pronounced. 
The account is given most fully by St. Luke. The 
most pressing business seemed to be a consultation 
as to how they might get Jesus before the tribunal 
of Pontius Pilate, Roman governor, through whom 
the sentence of death must be executed, as they were 
powerless in the case. A plan finally agreed upon, 
the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to 
Pilate. 

Matt. 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71 

And straightway, in the morning, as soon 
as it was day, all the chief priests and all the 
elders of the people and the scribes came to- 
gether, took counsel against Jesus to put Him 
to death, and led Him into their Council, say- 
ing, "Art Thou the Christ? tell us." And He 
said unto them, "If I tell you, ye will not be- 
lieve: and if I also ask you, ye will not an- 
89 " 



Zbe passion of our %ort> 



swer Me nor let Me go. Hereafter shall the 
Son of Man sit on the right hand of the power 
of God." Then said they all, "Art Thou then 
the Son of God?" And He said unto them, 
"Ye say that I am." And they said, "What 
need we any further witness? for we ourselves 
have heard of His own mouth." 

(6.) Judas' Remorse and Suicide 

It was evidently after the condemnation of Jesus 
by the Council, and as He was being led away to 
Pilate, that Judas, overwhelmed by remorse at the 
enormity and baseness of his sin, takes back the 
blood-money to the rulers, and then commits suicide. 

Matt. 27:3-10 

Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when 
he saw that he was condemned, repented him- 
self, and brought again the thirty pieces of 
silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 
"I have sinned in that I have betrayed the in- 
nocent blood." And they said, "What is that 
to us? see thou to that." 

And he cast down the pieces of silver in the 
temple, and departed, and went and hanged 
himself. And the chief priests took the silver 
pieces, and said, "It is not lawful for to put 
them into the treasury, because it is the price 
of blood." And they took counsel, and bought 
with them the potter's field, to bury strangers 
in. Wherefore that field was called, "The field 
of blood," unto this day. Then was fulfilled 
that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, 
saying, *"And they took the thirty pieces of 
silver, the price of Him that was valued, Whom 

* Zech. 11:3 

00 



<5oo& jfriba^ 



they of the children of Israel did value; and 
gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord 
appointed me." 

2. The Civil Trial of Jesus 

(i.) The First Trial by Pilate 

As in the case of the ecclesiastical, the civil trial 
of Jesus falls into three distinct stages: i. — Before 
Pontius Pilate; 2. — Before Herod Antipas; 3. — Be- 
fore Pilate again. 

He is first taken to the tribunal of Pontius Pilate, 
the Roman governor. The Judgment Hall was 
most likely connected with the old palace of Herod 
the Great, on the north of Mt. Sion, a magnificent 
building of marble, rivalling in splendor the temple 
itself. The Roman governors usually occupied this 
while in Jerusalem. The punctilious Jews will not 
enter the Judgment Hall, and so Pilate, yielding to 
their prejudices, erects the bema to hear the case 
outside on the pavement. As a matter of form he 
at once asks for the charge preferred against Jesus. 
Well knowing that he would take no account of the 
charge of blasphemy, on which He had been tried! 
by the Council, the rulers trump up a general charge 
of sedition, with a three-fold specification of dis- 
order, fomenting insurrection and treason. In re- 
sponse to the questions of Pilate Jesus preserves a 
sublime silence. That mob would not listen to the 
truth. Then Pilate takes Him into the Judgment 
Hall and examines Him privately. "And Jesus stood 
before the governor." What a spectacle! That 
haughty Roman could not but be impressed with 
the holy innocence, the matchless demeanor, of this 
mysterious prisoner. Presently he goes out to the 
crowd and announces that he finds no fault in Jesus 
at all. This stirs up the mob to a frenzy of excite- 
ment. As they mention "Galilee," Pilate bethinks 
himself of a possible escape from his painful 
dilemma. He will send Him to Herod, to whose 
jurisdiction Galilee belonged. 

91 



Zhc passion of our Xorfc 



Matt. 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; 
John 18:28-38 

a. The Charge against Jesus 

And the whole multitude of them arose, and 
when they had bound Jesus, they led Him 
away from Caiaphas, unto the Hall of Judg- 
ment, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, 
the governor; and it was early; and they 
themselves went not into the Judgment Hall, 
lest they should be defiled; but that they 
might eat the Passover. 

Pilate then went out unto them and said, 
"What accusation bring ye against this man?" 

They answered and said unto him, "If He 
were not a malefactor, we would not have de- 
livered Him up unto thee." 

Then said Pilate unto them, "Take ye Him 
and judge Him according to your law." 

The Jews therefore said unto him, "It is not 
lawful for us to put any man to death." That 
the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which 
He spake, signifying what death He should 
die. 

And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We 
found this fellow perverting the nation, and 
forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying 
that He Himself is Christ a king." And when 
He was accused of many things, of the chief 
priests and elders, He answered nothing. 
Then said Pilate unto Him, "Hearest Thou 
not how many things they witness against 
Thee?" And He answered him to never a 
word. And Pilate asked Him again, saying, 
"Answerest Thou nothing? Behold how 
many things they witness against Thee." But 
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<5oo& f ri&a$ 



Jesus yet answered him nothing; insomuch 
that the governor marvelled greatly. 

b. Pilate Taking Jesus with Him into the Judgment 
Hall Privately Examines Him 

Then Pilate entered into the Judgment Hall 
again, and called Jesus. And Jesus stood be- 
fore the governor. And Pilate, the governor, 
asked Him, saying unto Him, "Art Thou the 
King of the Jews?" 

And Jesus answered and said unto Him, 
"Thou sayest it. Sayest thou this thing of 
thyself, or did others tell it thee of Me?" 

Pilate answered Him, "Am I a Jew? Thine 
own nation and the chief priests have deliv- 
ered Thee unto me: what hast Thou done?" 

Jesus answered him, "My kingdom is not 
of this world: if My kingdom were of this 
world, then would My servants fight, that I 
should not be delivered to the Jews; but now 
is My kingdom not from hence." 

Pilate therefore said unto Him, "Art Thou 
a king then?" 

Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a 
king. To this end was I born; and for this 
cause came I into the world, that I should bear 
witness unto the truth. Every one that is of 
the truth heareth My voice." 

Pilate saith unto Him, "What is truth?" 

c. Pilate Going Out to the Jews Declares Jesus 
Innocent 

And when he had said this, he went out again 
unto the Jews. Then said Pilate to the chief 
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£be passion of our XorD 



priests and to the people, "I find no fault in 
this man at all." 

And they were the more fierce, saying, "He 
stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all 
Jewry, beginning from Galilee unto this place." 

(2.) The Trial by Herod Antipas 

Pontius Pilate was Procurator of Judea, Samaria 
and Idumea, with headquarters at Caesarea. Herod 
Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, was Tetrarch 
of Galilee and Perea, with a palace at Tiberias. 
Pilate usually came to Jerusalem at the great feasts, 
because of the turbulence of the restless Jews, gath- 
ered in such multitudes in the holy city at those 
times. Herod was a Jew, and as such, in Jerusalem 
attending the feast. If Jesus belonged to Galilee, 
His case might be referred to Herod's jurisdiction. 
Pilate is convinced of the innocence of Jesus, but 
he fears the Jews, especially in the face of such 
charges. So he will shift the responsibility by send- 
ing the prisoner to Herod. Herod's curious ques- 
tions elicit no answer from Jesus. Then he hands 
Him over to his rude soldiery to mock and insult 
at will. And then He is taken back to Pilate. 

Luke 23:6-12 

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked 
whether the man were a Galilean. And as 
soon as he knew that He belonged unto 
Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, 
who himself also was at Jerusalem at that 
time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was 
exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see 
Him of a long season, because he had heard 
many things of Him; and he hoped to have 
seen some miracle done by Him. Then he 
questioned with Him in many words ; but He 
answered him nothing. And the chief priests 
94 



and scribes stood and vehemently accused 
Him. And Herod with his men of war set 
Him at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed 
Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again 
to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod 
were made friends together; for before they 
were at enmity between themselves. 

(3.) Second Trial by Pontius Pilate 

Pilate is again confronted with his mysterious 
prisoner. His ruse was unsuccessful. The scene 
that follows is one of the most remarkable in all 
history. Who ever saw so strange a trial before a 
tribunal of justice as that? As Jesus is again brought 
before him Pilate reviews the case, and again declares 
Christ's innocence. And then he hopes by taking 
advantage of a certain custom of executive clem- 
ency to effect the release of Jesus. He proposes to 
release Him, but that blood-thirsty mob incited by 
the chief priests, demand instead a noted prisoner, 
Jesus Barabbas. At this moment a messenger ar- 
rives from his wife, Procla, telling him of a singular 
dream she had had, which leads him to another at- 
tempt to release Jesus. But all in vain. They will 
have Barabbas. And then comes that agonizing 
question, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is 
called Christ?" And the hoarse cries of that infuri- 
ated mob resound through the palace, "Let Him be 
crucified." And then comes that remarkable parley. 
"Why, what evil hath He done?"— and this thrice 
repeated. But nothing but the blood of the Naza- 
rene will satisfy that raging mob. And Pilate is on 
the point of yielding. There is, however, one other 
recourse. Perhaps if he scourges Jesus, their hearts 
will melt with pity. He is accordingly scourged, 
and Pilate brings Him out again, and presents Him 
to the people. "Behold the Man." But now the 
Jews scream out a new charge: "He made Himself 
the Son of God." That strikes terror into Pilate's 
craven heart. Again he takes Jesus into the Judg- 
ment Hall, and examines Him privately, and again 
comes out and tries to release Him. Think of a 

95 



Zhe ffmesion of our Xor& 



judge trotting back and forth between an innocent 
prisoner and an angry mob. Failing in this he brings 
Jesus out for the last time on to the Pavement, in 
sight of all, and with an angry sneer exclaims, "Be- 
hold your King!" And then the cowardly, vacil- 
lating governor washes his hands before the multi- 
tude, as though to clear himself of complicity in the 
murder of Jesus. The sentence of death immedi- 
ately follows. 

Matt. 27:15-30; Mark 15:6-19; Luke 23:13-25; 
John 18:39-19:15 

a. Pilate Reviews the Case and Tries to Release 
Jesus 

Now at that feast the governor was wont to 
release unto the people one prisoner, whom- 
soever they desired. And they had then a 
notable prisoner, called Barabbas, who for a 
certain sedition made in the city, was cast 
into prison, which lay bound with them that 
had made insurrection with him, who had 
committed murder in the insurrection. 

And Pilate, when he had called together the 
chief priests and the rulers of the people, said 
unto them, "Ye have brought this man unto 
me as one that perverteth the people; and 
behold, I, having examined Him before you, 
have found no fault in this man touching those 
things whereof ye accuse Him; no, nor yet 
Herod ; for I sent you to him ; and lo, nothing 
worthy of death is done unto Him. But ye 
have a custom that I should release unto you 
one at the Passover. I will therefore chastise 
Him and release Him." 

And the multitude crying aloud began to 
desire him to do as he had ever done unto 
them; for of necessity he must release one 
96 



<5oo& jfrt&a? 



unto them at the feast. Therefore when they 
were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, 
"Whom will ye that I release unto you? Bar- 
abbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" 

And they cried out all at once, saying, 
"Away with this man, and release unto us 
Barabbas." 

But Pilate answered them, saying, "Will 
ye therefore that I release unto you the King 
of the Jews?" For he knew that the chief 
priests had delivered Him for envy. 

Then cried they all again, saying, "Not this 
man but Barabbas." Now Barabbas was a 
robber. 

b. Procla's Dream. Again Pilate Seeks to Release 
Jesus 

When he was set down on the Judgment 
Seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, "Have 
thou nothing to do with that just man; for I 
have suffered many things this day in a dream 
because of Him." 

Pilate therefore willing to release Jesus 
spake again to them. But the chief priests 
and elders persuaded the multitude that they 
should ask Barabbas, that he should rather 
release Barabbas unto them, and destroy Jesus. 
The governor answered and said unto them, 
"Whether of the twain will ye that I release 
unto you?" 

They said, "Barabbas." 

Pilate saith unto them, "What shall I do 
then with Jesus which is called Christ?" 

They all say unto him, "Let Him be cruci- 
fied." 

97 



Gbe passion of our Xor& 



And the governor said, "Why, what evil 
hath He done?" 

But they cried the more, saying, "Let Him 
be crucified." 

And Pilate answered and said again unto 
them, "What will ye then that I shall do unto 
Him whom ye call the King of the Jews?" 

And they cried out again, "Crucify Him." 

Then said Pilate unto them, "Why, what 
evil hath He done?" 

And they cried out the more exceedingly, 
saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him." 

And he said unto them the third time, "Why, 
what evil hath He done? I have found no 
cause of death in Him: I will therefore chas- 
tize Him and let Him go." 

And they were instant with loud voices, 
requiring that He might be crucified. And 
the voices of them and of the chief priests 
prevailed. 

c. Jesus Is Scourged and Mocked 

Pilate may have hoped to awaken the pity of the 
Jews by this dreadful scourging. But not so. It 
may have taken place in full view of the crowd. And 
then the soldiers led Him into the Praetorium, or 
soldiers' quarters, where, stripping Him of His loose 
outer garments, they put on Him a purple (a vague 
term for any bright, rich color; equivalent to the 
scarlet of Matt. 27:28) robe, possibly a cast-off sol- 
dier's cloak, as a fitting robe for this king of the 
hated Jews. But a king must have a crown; and so a 
branch of thorn bush is twisted into the rude sem- 
blance of a crown, and thrust down upon His brow. 
A fragile cane stalk, or reed, will suffice for a scep- 
tre for this king. By the Jews He was mocked as a 
prophet. Here He is ridiculed as a king. The mock 
sceptre, the king's symbol of authority, is used as 

98 



ECCE HOMO! 
They shall look on Him whom the)" pierced !" 



(Boob 3fnt>a? 



a cudgel against Him, in insolent mockery of His 
kingly claims. And then Pilate brings Him forth 
again, saying, "Behold the Man." 

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and 
scourged Him. Then the soldiers of the gov- 
ernor took Jesus, led Him away into the com- 
mon hall, called Praetorium, and gathered to- 
gether unto Him the whole band of soldiers. 
And they stripped Him, and put on Him a 
purple robe. And when the soldiers had 
platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 
His head, and a reed in His right hand: and 
they bowed the knee before Him, and began to 
salute Him, and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, 
King of the Jews." And they smote Him 
with their hands, and did spit upon Him, and 
took the reed and smote Him on the head, 
and bowing their knees worshipped Him. 

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith 
unto them, "Behold I bring Him forth to you 
that ye may know that I find no fault in Him." 
Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of 
thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate saith 
unto them, "Behold The Man!" 

When the chief priests therefore and officers 
saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify 
Him, crucify Him." 

Pilate saith unto them, "Take ye Him and 
crucify Him; for I find no fault in Him." 

The Jews answered him, "We have a law, 
and by our law He ought to die, because He 
made Himself the Son of God." 

d- Pilate's Second Private Examination of Jesus 
in the Judgment Hall 

When Pilate therefore heard that saying he 
99 



LofC.i 



Zbc passion of our Xorfc 



was the more afraid; and he went again into 
the Judgment Hall, and saith unto Jesus, 
"Whence art Thou?" But Jesus gave him no 
answer. Then saith Pilate unto Him, "Speak- 
est Thou not unto me? Knowest Thou not 
that I have power to crucify Thee, and have 
power to release Thee?" 

Jesus answered, "Thou couldst have no 
power at all against Me except it were given 
thee from above: therefore he that delivered 
Me unto thee hath the greater sin." 

e. Pilate Again Seeks to Release Jesus, and for the 
Last Time Brings Him Out to the Jews. 
"Behold your King!" 

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to re- 
lease Him; but the Jews cried out, saying, 
"If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's 
friend. Whosoever maketh himself a king 
speaketh against Caesar." 

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, 
he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the 
judgment seat, in a place that is called the 
Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 
And it was the preparation of the Passover, 
and about the sixth hour. And he saith unto 
the Jews, "Behold your king!" 

But they cried out, "Away with Him ! Away 
with Him! Crucify Him!" 

Pilate saith unto them, "Shall I crucify your 
king?" 

The chief priests answered, "We have no 
king but Caesar." 

When Pilate saw that he could prevail 
nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, 

ioo 



©oo6 3fri6a? 



he took water and washed his hands before 
the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the 
blood of this just person: see ye to it." 

Then answered all the people, and said, 
"His blood be on us and on our children." 

f. The Sentence of Death 

Then Pilate willing to content the people, 
gave sentence that it should be as they re- 
quired. And then he released unto them Bar- 
abbas, him that for sedition and murder was 
cast into prison, whom they had desired. And 
when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered 
Him therefore to their will, to be crucified. 

III. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS 

i. The March to Golgotha 

The trial of Jesus must have been concluded 
somewhere about seven in the morning. Prepara- 
tions were at once made for the crucifixion, which 
would consume some time. The procession to Gol- 
gotha presently started. Jesus bears His own cross 
for a short distance, when it is laid upon Simon of 
Cyrene. The place of crucifixion was outside the 
city. To the women who followed, bewailing Him, 
our Lord speaks in tones of tender compassion. And 
so that great crowd with Jesus in the forefront 
moves on through the streets of the city, until it 
comes to that "green hill, far away, where our dear 
Lord was crucified." 

Matt. 27:31-32; Mark 15:20-21; Luke 23:26-32; 
John 19:16, 17 

And after they had mocked Him, they took 
off the purple robe from Him, and put His own 
raiment on Him. And they took Jesus and 

101 



Zbc paeeion of our Xor6 



led Him away to crucify Him. And He bear- 
ing His cross went forth into a place called 
the place of a skull, which is called in the He- 
brew, Golgotha. And as they came out they 
found a man of Cyrene, one Simon by name, 
who passed by, coming out of the country, 
the father of Alexander and Rufus. And as 
they led Him away they laid hold upon Simon, 
and on him they laid the cross ; and they com- 
pelled him to bear his cross after Jesus. 

And there followed Him a great company of 
people and of women, which also bewailed and 
lamented Him. But Jesus turning unto them 
said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for 
Me, but weep for yourselves and your chil- 
dren. For, behold the days are coming, in the 
which they shall say, 'Blessed are the barren 
and the wombs that never bare and the paps 
which never gave suck.' Then shall they be- 
gin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us;' and 
to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do these 
things in a green tree, what shall be done in 
the dry?" 

And there were also two others, malefactors, 
led with Him to be put to death. 

2. The Crucifixion 

Calvary, the place of execution, must have been 
reached about nine o'clock. While the body of Jesus 
is being nailed to the hated cross, He is offered a 
stupefying potion of sour wine mingled with myrrh, 
such as benevolent ladies of Jerusalem prepared to 
be administered to criminals, to deaden the pains of 
execution. When Jesus had tasted this, He refused 
to drink it. He will not yield to anything that will 
diminish the bitterness of that cup of suffering which 
102 




THE X AILING TO THE CROSS 
"They pierced My hands and My feet." 



Cooper 



(Boot) ffrifcas 



is pressed to His lips, as He works out human re- 
demption. Instead He breaks forth in loving prayer 
for His heartless persecutors. The garments of the 
victims fall to the soldiers. And there under the 
shadow of that cross, those wretches sit down, with 
ribaldry and laughter, to gamble them away. And 
then follows the great mockery by the different 
classes around the cross: by the rabble passing by ; 
the chief priests and scribes; and the rude soldiers, 
who with scornful jests offer Him a drink of their 
posca, or sour wine; even one of the thieves cannot 
refrain from heaping insult and reproach upon that 
holy and patient victim. The other thief prays for 
mercy and receives it. The sun hides his face in 
shame at the awful spectacle, and soon a supernatural 
darkness envelops all in gloom. And then, about 
three in the afternoon, through that dreadful dark- 
ness resounds the piercing cry of the Nazarene, 
"My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"— 
followed quickly by His fifth word from the cross^ 
"I thirst." In response to this His lips are moist- 
ened with a bit of sponge saturated with vinegar, or 
sour wine. And then, the great transaction finished, 
and His spirit commended to God, He bows His 
sacred head and dies. 



Matt. 27:33-53; Mark 15:22-38; Luke 23:33-46; 
John 19:18-30 

And they bring Him unto the place called 
in the Hebrew, Golgotha, which is, being in- 
terpreted, the place of a skull. And when they 
were come to the place which is called Cal- 
vary, they gave Him to drink wine mingled 
with myrrh [and] vinegar mingled with gall; 
but when He had tasted thereof He would not 
drink. And it was the third hour, and there 
they crucified Him. And then were there two 
others, thieves, malefactors, crucified with 
Him, on either side one, the one on His right 
hand, and the other on His left, and Jesus in 
103 



Gfoe passion of our Xor& 



the midst. And the Scripture was fulfilled, 
which saith, "And He was numbered with the 

[The First Saying on the Cross] 

transgressors." * Then said Jesus, "Father, 
forgive them, for they know not what they do." 

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified 
Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, 
to every soldier a part; and also His coat; 
now the coat was without seam, woven from 
the top throughout. They said therefore 
among themselves, "Let us not rend it, but 
cast lots for it whose it shall be." And they 
parted His garments, casting lots upon them, 
what every man should take; that the Scrip- 
ture, which was spoken by the prophet, might 
be fulfilled, which saith, "They parted My 
garments among them, and upon My vesture 
did they cast lots."f These things therefore 
the soldiers did. And sitting down they 
watched Him there. 

[The Title] 

And Pilate wrote a title, the superscription 
of His accusation, and put it on the cross, 
over His head. And the writing was, "This 
is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 
This title then read many of the Jews ; for the 
place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to 
the city; and it was written in letters of He- 
brew and Greek and Latin. Then said the 
chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, "Write not 
'The King of the Jews;' but that He said, 
'I am the King of the Jews/ " Pilate an- 
swered, "What I have written, I have written." 



* Is. 53:12 



t Ps. 22:18 
104 



(Boot) Jrtoa? 



And they that passed by reviled Him, wag- 
ging their heads, and saying, "Ah, Thou that 
destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three 
days, save Thyself. If Thou be the Son of 
God, come down from the cross." And the 
people stood beholding. And the rulers also 
with them derided Him; likewise also the 
chief priests mocking Him with the scribes 
and elders, said among themselves, "He saved 
others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ, 
the King of Israel, descend now from the 
cross, that we may see and believe. If He be 
the King of Israel, let Him now come down 
from the cross, and we will believe Him. He 
trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if 
He will have Him ; for He said, 'I am the Son 
of God/ Let Him save Himself, if He be 
Christ, the chosen of God." 

And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming 
to Him, and offering Him vinegar, and saying, 
"If Thou be the King of the Jews, save Thy- 
self." And the thieves also, which were cruci- 
fied with Him, reviled Him, cast the same in 
His teeth. 

And one of the malefactors which were 
hanged railed on Him, saying, "If Thou be 
Christ, save Thyself and us." But the other 
answering rebuked him, saying, "Dost not 
thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same 
condemnation? And we indeed justly; for 
we receive the due reward of our deeds: but 
this man hath done nothing amiss." And he 
said unto Jesus, "Lord, remember me when 
Thou comest into Thy kingdom." And Jesus 



105 



ZCbe passion of our Xorfc 



[The Second Saying on the Cross] 

said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, To-day 
shalt thou be with Me in paradise." Now 
there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, 
and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of 
Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus 
therefore saw His mother, and the disciple 
standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto 

[The Third Saying on the Cross] 

His mother, "Woman, behold thy son !" Then 
saith He to the disciple, "Behold thy mother !" 
And from that hour that disciple took her unto 
his own home. 

And it was about the sixth hour. And when 
the sixth hour was come, there was darkness 
over all the earth (the whole land), until the 
ninth hour. And the sun was darkened. And 
at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, 

[The Fourth Saying on the Cross] 

saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani ?" which 
is, being interpreted, "My God, My God, why 
hast Thou forsaken Me?" 

And some of them that stood there, when 
they heard that, said, "Behold this man call- 
eth for Elias." After this, Jesus knowing that 
all things were now accomplished, that the 

[The Fifth Saying on the Cross] 

Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, "I thirst." 
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar, and 
straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge 
and filled it full of vinegar, and put it upon 
hyssop, on a reed, and put it to His mouth, 
and gave Him to drink, saying, "Let alone; 
106 



<Soo& ffrt&a? 



let us see whether Elias will come to take Him 
down." The rest said, "Let be; let us see 
whether Elias will come to save Him." When 
Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He 

[The Sixth Saying on the Cross] 

said, "It is finished." 

And when Jesus had cried again with a loud 

[The Seventh Saying on the Cross] 

voice, He said, "Father, into Thy hands I com- 
mend My spirit." And having said thus, He 
bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. And 
behold the vail of the temple was rent in twain, 
in the midst, from the top to the bottom; and 
the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and 
the graves were opened; and many bodies of 
the saints which slept arose, and came out of 
the graves after His resurrection, and went 
into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 

3. The Centurion's Testimony 
Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47 

Now when trie Centurion, which stood over 
against Him and they that were with him 
watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those 
things that were done, that He so cried out, 
and gave up the ghost, they feared greatly. 
And the Centurion glorified God, saying, "Cer- 
tainly this was a righteous man. Truly this 
man was the Son of God." 

4. The Women at the Cross 
Matt. 27:55, 56; Mark 15:40, 41; Luke 23:48, 49 
And all the people that came together to that 

107 



Zbc passion of our Xorfc 



sight, beholding the things that were done, 
smote their breasts and returned. And all His 
acquaintance and many women also that fol- 
lowed Jesus from Galilee stood afar off, be- 
holding these things. Among whom was Mary 
Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the 
Less and of Joses, and Salome the mother of 
Zebedee's children; who also, when He was 
in Galilee, followed Him and ministered unto 
Him; and many other women which came up 
with Him unto Jerusalem. 

5. Jesus' Death Made Certain 

John 19:31-37 

The Jews therefore, because it was the prep- 
aration, that the bodies should not remain 
upon the cross on the Sabbath day (for that 
Sabbath day was a high day), besought Pilate 
that their legs might be broken, and that they 
might be taken away. Then came the sol- 
diers, and brake the legs of the first, and of 
the other which was crucified with him. But 
when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was 
dead already, they brake not His legs: but 
one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His 
side, and forthwith came there out blood and 
water. And he that saw it bare record, and 
his record is true; and he knoweth that he 
saith true, that ye might believe. For these 
things were done, that the Scripture should be 
fulfilled, *"A bone of Him shall not be broken." 
And again another Scripture saith, f'They 
shall look on Him whom they pierced." 



*Ex. 12:46 



f Zech. 12:10 

108 



(Boot) ffri&ap 



IV. THE BURIAL OF JESUS 

Jesus' Body Removed from the Cross and 
Entombed 

Jewish law forbade the leaving of the bodies of 
executed criminals exposed over night. The day 
following the crucifixion was the great Sabbath of 
the Passover, which was an additional reason for 
the immediate removal of the bodies of Jesus and 
the malefactors. So the rulers beseech Pilate that 
their death may be hastened, and their bodies at once 
removed, for the Sabbath would begin at 6 p. m. 
Breaking the legs of criminals was not only to hasten 
death, but was an additional indignity and torture. 
But the enemies of Jesus had now done their worst, 
and it seemed as if God Himself now interfered to 
prevent further indignities to the sacred body of His 
Son. "A bone of Him shall not be broken." Jesus 
is found to be already dead, but to make assurance 
doubly sure, a soldier pierces His side. It is sup- 
posed by many that the blood and water indicate 
that Jesus died of a ruptured heart. His awful 
anguish of soul literally broke His heart, and brought 
on death sooner than it would otherwise have 
occurred from His crucifixion. It seems impossible 
not to admit a supernatural element in His death, 
however we may explain it. Meanwhile Joseph of 
Arimathea, an honorable member of the Jewish San- 
hedrin which condemned Jesus, but who because of 
his secret leaning toward Christ, refused to partici- 
pate in His trial, begs of Pilate the poor boon of 
that sacred dead body. His boldness brings out 
another secret disciple, Nicodemus. Together with 
some friends or servants they take down the body of 
our Lord, tenderly wash off the cruel blood stains., 
wrap around it fold after fold of linen cloth, in which 
they enclose the fragrant spices used in such cases, 
and then lovingly lay it in a new tomb, in a garden 
near by, belonging to Joseph. And so, at last, loving 
hands ministered to that blessed body. His enemies 
thought to make His grave with the wicked (Is. 
53:p)> to cast that precious body on a heap of offal, 
as in the case of executed criminals, in utter degra- 
109 



Gbe passion of our XorD 



dation, but "with the rich was He in His death," as 
His body reposed in a rich man's tomb. 

Matt. 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; 
John 19:38-42 

And behold there was a rich man of Arima- 
thea, a city of the Jews, named Joseph, an 
honorable counsellor ; and he was a good man 
and a just : (the same had not consented to the 
counsel and deed of them) who also himself 
waited for the Kingdom of God, being a dis- 
ciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews. 
And after this, when now the even was come, 
because it was the preparation, that is, the day 
before the Sabbath, this man went in boldly 
unto Pilate and begged the body of Jesus, and 
besought Pilate that he might take away the 
body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if He 
were already dead: and calling unto him the 
centurion, he asked him whether He had been 
any while dead. And when he knew it of the 
centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Then 
Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 
He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 
And he bought fine linen; and when Joseph 
had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a 
clean linen cloth. And there came also Nico- 
demus (which at the first came to Jesus by 
night), and brought a mixture of myrrh and 
aloes, about one hundred pound weight. Then 
took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in 
linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of 
the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where 
He was crucified there was a garden and in 
the garden a new sepulchre, his own new tomb, 
which he had hewn out in a rock, wherein was 



no 



(Boot) ffriba? 



never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus 
therefore because of the Jews' preparation day ; 
for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. And he 
rolled a great stone unto the door of the sepul- 
chre, and departed. And the women also, 
which came with Him from Galilee, followed 
after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how His 
body was laid. And there was Mary Magda- 
lene, and the other Mary, the mother of Joses, 
sitting over against the sepulchre. And that 
day was the preparation, and the Sabbath 
drew on. And they returned and prepared 
spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath 
day according to the commandment. 

THE COLLECT FOR GOOD FRIDAY 

Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast willed 
that Thy Son should bear for us the pains of the 
cross, that Thou mightest remove from us the power 
of the adversary; help us so to remember and give 
thanks for our Lord's Passion that we may obtain 
remission of sin and redemption from everlasting 
death; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy 
Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 



in 



"And that He was buried." 

— Paul the Apostle 

"Come, see the place where the Lord lay." 

— Matthew the Evangelist 

"Now in the grave He's laid 

In death's funereal gloom; 
Stern watchmen in the shade, 

A seal upon the tomb. 
Hushed, my harp, thy murmurs be, 
Christ is sleeping there for thee. 

"All is o'er, the pain, the sorrow, 

Human taunts and Satan's spite; 
Death shall be despoiled to-morrow 

Of the prey he grasps to-night, 
Yet once more, to seal his doom, 
Christ must sleep within the tomb." 



112 



THE EVENTS OF SATURDAY 
IN HOLY WEEK 

Saturday, April 8, A. D. 30 
Jewish Sabbath, Nisan 16, A. U. C. 783 

THE SEPULCHRE SEALED AND THE 
WATCH SET 

This day, being the second of the Passover Fes- 
tival, was the great day of the Feast. During the 
hours of this silent Sabbath the body of our Sav- 
iour reposed in Joseph's tomb. But the guilty fears 
of Jesus' enemies are not yet quieted. They recall 
His startling words about rising again. The next 
morning, therefore, they hasten to Pilate to ask 
that the sepulchre may be sealed and a guard set. 
It is the Jewish Sabbath, but what care these hypo- 
critical religionists for that? Pilate complies. A 
string is stretched across the rocky door of the 
tomb, its ends fastened with wax, on which is im- 
printed the seal of the governor, and then a squad 
of soldiers is detailed to guard the tomb of Him 
called the King of the Jews. And so the power of 
the mighty empire of Rome is invoked to render 
that tomb inviolate, and to add its testimony to the 
fact of the resurrection. 

Matt. 27:62-66 

Now the next day, that followed the day of 
the preparation, the chief priests and Phari- 
sees came together unto Pilate, saying, "Sir, 
we remember that that deceiver said, while 
He was yet alive, 'After three days I will rise 
again/ Command therefore that the sepul- 
chre be made sure until the third day, lest His 
disciples come by night, and steal Him away, 
113 

8 



Gbe passion of our Xorfr 



and say unto the people, 'He is risen from the 
dead:' so the last error shall be worse than, 
the first." Pilate said unto them, "Ye have a 
watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye 
can." So they went, and made the sepulchre 
sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. 

THE COLLECT FOR EASTER EVE 

O God, Who didst enlighten this most holy night 
with the glory of the Lord's resurrection, preserve 
in all Thy people the spirit of adoption which Thou 
hast given, so that renewed in body and soul thev 
may perform unto Thee a pure service; through 
the same, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and 
reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one 
God, world without end. Amen. 



114 



"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and be- 
come the first-fruits of them that slept." 

— Paul the Apostle 

"Angels, roll the rock away! 
Death, yield up the Mighty Prey! 
See, the Saviour quits the tomb, 
Glowing with immortal bloom. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 
Christ the Lord is risen to-day. 

"Holy Father, Holy Son, 
Holy Spirit, Three in One, 
Glory as of old to Thee, 
Now and evermore shall be. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 
Christ the Lord is risen to-day." 

— Gibbons 

"Christ is risen! Christ is risen! 
He has burst His bonds in twain; 
Christ is risen! Christ is risen! 

Alleluia! Swell the strain! 
For our gain He suffered loss 

By Divine decree. 
He hath died upon the cross, 

But our GOD is He. 
Christ is risen! Christ is risen! 

He has burst His bonds in twain; 
Christ is risen! Christ is risen! 
Alleluia! Swell the strain!" 

— Guerney 



116 



THE RESURRECTION 



" O Death, I will be thy plagues; 
O Grave, I will be thy destruction ! 



THE EVENTS OF EASTER 



Sunday, April 9, A. D. 30 

Jewish First Day, Nisan 17, A. U. C. 783 

THE RESURRECTION AND THE FIRST 
APPEARANCES OF CHRIST 

1. The Resurrection 

The precise moment of the resurrection of our 
Lord we know not. Nor are we informed as to the 
details of that marvelous event. We know only that 
at some time before dawn of the first day of the 
week, the third day after His death, our Redeemer, 
with His reanimated body, and by His own mighty 
power, quitted the tomb. In some supernatural way, 
the great stone, closing the door of the tomb, is 
rolled away, and an angel sits upon it, whose ap- 
pearance strikes terror into the hearts of the guards. 
It is scarcely conceivable that any earthly eye saw 
the majestic departure of our Lord from the tomb. 
We are simply informed by inspiration of the fact. 

Matt. 28:2-4 

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: 
for the angel of the Lord descended from 
heaven, and came and rolled back the stone 
from the door, and sat upon it. His counte- 
nance was like lightning, and his raiment 
white as snow : And for fear of him the keepers 
did shake, and became as dead men. 

2. Certain Women Visit the Sepulchre 

In the dim light of the morning of the first day 
of the week, as the darkness was breaking away, 

117 



Gbe passion of ourulorl) 



and the first streaks of dawn heralded the rising of 
the sun, perhaps about five o'clock, Mary Magda- 
lene, Mary, the mother of James the Less and of 
Joses, Salome and Joanna, come to the sepulchre. 
They had previously purchased and prepared fra- 
grant spices to complete the anointing of Jesus' 
dead body, which had been so hastily done on Fri- 
day evening. They were evidently ignorant that 
the tomb had been sealed and a guard placed there 
on the Sabbath, and their anxious inquiry is, "Who 
shall roll us away the stone from the door of the 
sepulchre?" They are amazed to see the stone 
rolled away. Mary Magdalene waits for no more, 
but hastens to the city to carry the dreadful news 
of the removal of Christ's body to Peter and John. 
Meanwhile the other women enter the sepulchre, 
have a vision of angels, receive the angelic mes- 
sage, and then turn back toward the city. Peter 
and John, hearing the startling tidings at once ha- 
sten to the tomb, and then retrace their steps. Mary 
Magdalene now comes up, and while standing at the 
sepulchre, is the first to see the risen Lord. Shortly 
after, perhaps only a few minutes, Christ appears to 
the other women, on their way to the city. While 
they are going, the guards report the resurrection 
to the chief priests. Later in the day Christ appears 
to Simon Peter, towards evening to the two dis- 
ciples on their way to Emmaus, and in the evening 
to the ten disciples, Thomas being absent. This 
appears to be the order of occurrences on that 
thrillingly eventful day. 

Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1-4; Luke 24:1, 2; John 20:1 

And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Mag- 
dalene, and the other Mary, the mother of 
James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices 
that they might come and anoint Him. Now 
in the end of the Sabbath, upon the first day 
of the week, very early in the morning, when 
it was yet dark (as it began to dawn toward 
the first day of the week, at the rising of the 
sun), they came unto the sepulchre, bringing 
118 



Easter 



the spices which they had prepared, and certain 
others with them, to see the sepulchre. And 
they said among themselves, "Who shall roll 
us away the stone from the door of the sepul- 
chre?" And when they looked, they saw that 
the stone was rolled away from the sepulchre ; 
for it was very great. 

3. Mary Magdalene Carries the News to 

Peter and John 

As soon as Mary Magdalene sees that the stone is 
removed, she hastens to inform Peter and John, and 
they all three start back towards the tomb, the dis- 
ciples preceding Mary some little time. 

John 20:1, 2 

And (Mary Magdalene) seeth the stone 
taken away from the sepulchre. Then she 
runneth and cometh to Simon Peter and to 
the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and 
saith unto them, "They have taken away the 
Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not 
where they have laid Him." 

4. The Vision of Angels to the Women 

The other women remain at the sepulchre. How 
many there were we know not. Mary, the mother 
of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, had 
come with Mary Magdalene. Besides, Joanna and 
other women were there, but whether they came at 
the same time with the former, or later, we know 
not. If later, this may help to explain the different 
angelic appearances. The women are first accosted 
by the angel, who, according to Matthew, sat upon 
the stone door of the tomb, "Fear not. 
Come, see the place where the Lord lay." They 
enter the sepulchre, and see a young man sitting on 

119 



Zbc passion of our Xorb 



the right side, who says, "Be not affrighted. . . . 
Behold the place where they laid Him." Much per- 
plexed at not finding the body of Jesus, they are 
accosted by two angels standing by them, who say, 
"Why seek ye the living among the dead?" They 
then depart from the sepulchre to carry the word to 
the disciples. Perhaps the first angel appeared to 
Mary and Salome, and delivered his message; and 
while they are standing there Joanna and the others 
come in and have the vision and the message of the 
two angels. To a fair-minded reader there would 
seem to be no discrepancy here. 

Matt. 28:5-8; Mark 16:5-8; Luke 24:3-8 

And they (the other women) entered into 
the sepulchre and found not the body of the 
Lord Jesus. And they saw a young man sit- 
ting on the right side, clothed in a long white 
garment; and they were affrighted. And the 
angel answered and said unto the women, 
"Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus 
of Nazareth which was crucified. He is not 
here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see 
the place where the Lord lay. Behold the 
place where they laid Him. But go quickly, 
and tell His disciples and Peter that He is 
risen from the dead; and behold He goeth 
before you into Galilee; there shall ye see 
Him, as He said unto you. Lo, I have told 
you." 

And it came to pass, as they were much per- 
plexed thereabout, behold two men stood by 
them in shining garments; and as they were 
afraid, and bowed down their faces to the 
earth, they said unto them, "Why seek ye the 
living among the dead? He is not here, but 
is risen; remember how He spake unto you 
when He was yet in Galilee, saying, 'The Son 
of Man must be delivered into the hands of 
120 



THE WOMEN AT THE SEPULCHRE 
" Why seek ye the Living among the Dead?" I'lockhorst 



Easter 



sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day 
rise again/ " 

And they remembered His words. And they 
went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre 
with fear and great joy ; for they trembled and 
were amazed, neither said they anything to 
any man; for they were afraid; and did run 
to bring His disciples word. 

5. The Guards Report the Resurrection 

After that startling vision of the angel, accom- 
panied by the rolling back of the sepulchre door, 
and while the women are going into the city with 
their story of the thrilling events of the morning, 
the guards report the opening of the tomb to the 
chief priests. Perhaps nothing could more forcibly 
illustrate the credulity of unbelief than this incident. 
To sleep on guard duty was punishable with death 
by Roman military law. But these soldiers take a 
bribe to say that, which, if true, would have cost 
them their lives. But this is simply one of the links 
in the chain of events proving beyond a shadow of 
doubt the glorious fact of the resurrection. 

Matt. 28:11-15 

Now when they were going, behold, some 
of the watch came into the city, and shewed 
unto the chief priests all the things that were 
done. And when they were assembled with 
the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave 
lareg money unto the soldiers, saying, "Say 
ye, His disciples came by night, and stole Him 
away while we slept. And if this come to the 
governor's ears, we will persuade him, and 
secure you." So they took the money, and 
did as they were taught: and this saying is 
commonly reported among the Jews until this 
day. 

T2I 



£be passion of our Xorfc 



6. Peter and John Visit the Sepulchre 

The women have, perhaps, but scarcely gone, when 
John comes running up, followed by Peter. Peter 
first enters the sepulchre. Both see the linen clothes 
lying in orderly fashion, the napkin that had been 
about Jesus' face, wrapped together and lying in a 
place by itself, likely just where that sacred head 
had reposed. All this indicates the calm majesty 
with which the Lord had quitted His bed of death. 
There was no haste; no confusion. Having no more 
use for the grave clothes He had laid them aside. 
Imagine His disciples stripping off the cerements of 
death, if they had removed the body. John, seeing 
all this, believed. And then they depart for their 
homes. 

Luke 24:12; John 20:3-10 

Then arose Peter, therefore, and went forth, 
and that other disciple and came to the sepul- 
chre. So they ran both together; and that 
other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first 
to the sepulchre. And he, stooping down and 
looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet 
went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter 
following him, and stooping down he beheld 
the linen clothes laid by themselves ; and went 
into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes 
lie, and the napkin that was about His head, 
not lying with the linen clothes but wrapped 
together in a place by itself. Then went in 
also that other disciple, which came first to the 
sepulchre, and he saw and believed. For as yet 
they knew not the Scripture that He must rise 
again from the dead. Then the disciples went 
away again unto their own homes. And Peter 
departed, wondering in himself at that which 
was come to pass. 



Easter 



7. The Appearances of Our Lord After His 
Resurrection 

(1.) To Mary Magdalene 

Mary Magdalene, who had started with Peter and 
John, now comes up to the sepulchre. As she stands 
there weeping, she sees two angels standing, "the 
one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the 
body of Jesus had lain." What profound pathos 
there is in her reply to the angels' question, "They 
have taken away my Lord, and I know not where 
they have laid Him." And yet Jesus was at her 
side at that moment. She recognizes Him at once 
by His thrilling pronunciation of her name, "Mary." 
"He calleth His own sheep by name." Then she 
carries her wondrous message to the disciples. 

Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18 

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre 
weeping; and as she wept, she stooped down 
and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two 
angels in white sitting, the one at the head, 
and the other at the feet, where the body of 
Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, "Wo- 
man, why weepest thou?" 

She saith unto them, "Because they have 
taken away my Lord, and I know not where 
they have laid Him." 

And when she had thus said, she turned her- 
self back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew 
not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, 
"Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest 
thou?" 

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, 
saith unto Him, "Sir, if thou have borne Him 
hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and 
I will take Him away." 

Jesus saith unto her, "Mary." 

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Zbc passion of our Xorfc 



She turned herself, and saith unto Him, 
"Rabboni," which is to say, "Master." 

Jesus saith unto her, "Touch Me not; for I 
am not yet ascended to My Father : but go to 
My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend un- 
to My Father, and your Father; and to My 
God, and your God." 

Now when Jesus was risen early the first 
day of the week, He appeared first to Mary 
Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven 
devils. And she went and told them that had 
been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 
And they, when they had heard that He was 
alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 

(2.) To the Other Women 

The other women, having left the sepulchre, are 
on their way to the city, when Jesus appears to 
them, and repeats in substance the angels' message 
to them. Christ had told His disciples, previous to 
His death, that He would rise again and meet them 
in Galilee. They had not gone to Galilee through 
unbelief in His resurrection. It is significant that 
while He now appears to assure them of the fact of 
His resurrection, yet the message is to go to Galilee, 
where He will meet them for further instruction. 

Matt. 28:9, 10; Luke 24:9-11 

And as they (the other women) went to tell 
His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, 
"All hail!" 

And they came and held Him by the feet 
and worshipped Him. Then said jesus unto 
them, "Be not afraid ; go tell My brethren that 
they go into Galilee, and there shall they see 
Me." 

And they returned from the sepulchre, and 

124 



Easter 



told all these things unto the eleven and to 
all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and 
Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and 
other women that were with them, which told 
these things unto the apostles. And their 
words seemed to them as idle tales, and they 
believed them not. 

(3.) To Simon Peter 
Luke 24:34; I Cor. 15:5 

"The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared 
unto Simon." 
And that He was seen of Cephas. 

(4.) To the Two Disciples on the Way to Emmaus 

Jesus' appearance to Peter must have occurred 
some time in the latter part of the day. In the 
evening, as Cleopas and another disciple are on their 
way to Emmaus, Jesus meets them, and walks with 
them. What a memorable conversation that was. 
But they know Him not at first. After His resur- 
rection our Lord was the same and yet not the same 
as before. There was a profound mystery about 
His post-resurrection body. He becomes known to 
them in the breaking of bread, and then He disap- 
pears as mysteriously as He had appeared. 

Mark 16:12, 13; Luke 24:13-35 

After that He appeared in another form unto 
two of them, as they walked and went into 
the country. And, behold, two of them went 
that same day to a village called Emmaus, 
which was from Jerusalem about threescore 
furlongs. And they talked together of all 
these things which had happened. And it- 
came to pass, that, while they communed to- 
125 



Zbe passion of our Xorfc 



gether and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, 
and went with them. But their eyes were 
holden that they should not know Him. 

And He said unto them, "What manner of 
communications are these that ye have one 
to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" 

And the one of them, whose name was Cleo- 
pas, answering said unto Him, "Art Thou 
only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not 
known the things which are come to pass there 
in these days?" And He said unto them, 
"What things?" And they said unto Him, 
"Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a 
prophet mighty in deed and word before God 
and all the people: and how the chief priests 
and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned 
to death, and have crucified Him. But we 
trusted that it had been He which should have 
redeemed Israel : and beside all this, to-day is 
the third day since these things were done. 
Yea, and certain women also of our company 
made us astonished, which were early at the 
sepulchre : and when they found not His body, 
they came, saying, that they had also seen a 
vision of angels, which said that He was alive. 
And certain of them which were with us went 
to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the 
women had said: but Him they saw not." 

Then He said unto them, "O fools, and slow 
of heart to believe all that the prophets have 
spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered 
these things, and to enter into His glory?" 

And beginning at Moses and all the proph- 
ets, He expounded unto them in all the Scrip- 
tures the things concerning Himself. And 
they drew nigh unto the village, whither they 
126 



fiaster 



went : and He made as though He would have 
gone further. But they constrained Him, say- 
ing, "Abide with us ; for it is toward evening, 
and the day is far spent." And He went in to 
tarry with them. And it came to pass, as He 
sat at meat with them, He took bread, and 
blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And 
their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; 
and He vanished out of their sight. And they 
said one to another, "Did not our heart burn 
within us, while He talked with us by the way, 
and while He opened to us the Scriptures?" 

And they rose up the same hour and re- 
turned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven 
gathered together, and them that were with 
them, and told it unto the residue, saying, 
"The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared 
unto Simon." 

And they told them what things were done 
in the way, and how He was known of them 
in the breaking of bread. Neither believed 
they them. 

(5.) To The Assembled Disciples, Except Thomas 

At the cross the disciples had scattered in terror 
and despair. In the evening of Easter Day they are 
together once again, drawn together, doubtless, by 
the startling events of that wonderful day. They 
had had the story of the empty sepulchre, of the 
vision of angels to Mary Magdalene and to the other 
women, and of Christ's appearance to them and to 
Peter. The whole account shows that they were 
strangely agitated, and torn by conflicting emotions 
of doubt and hope, of fear and joy. At one moment 
the fact of His resurrection seemed certain; at an- 
other they seem plunged in doubt because of the 
mysteriousness of it all. This appears in the inci- 
dents of the meeting with His disciples that evening. 
127 



Zhc passion of our Xorb 



Perhaps the place was the same upper room in which 
the hallowed scenes of the Last Supper had tran- 
spired. What holy memories would crowd upon 
them there. How startlingly the Lord comes. Sud- 
denly, while the doors are closed, He stands among 
them; assures them of the reality of His resurrec- 
tion and of His human form, breathes upon them a 
benediction of peace, and as silently and mysteriously 
vanishes away. 

Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-48; John 20:19-25 

And afterward, the same day at evening, 
being the first day of the week, when the doors 
were shut where the disciples were assembled, 
for fear of the Jews, and as they thus spake, 
came Jesus Himself, and stood in the midst 
of them, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto 
you." 

He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at 
meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief 
and hardness of heart, because they believed 
not them which had seen Him after He was 
risen. But they were terrified and affrighted, 
and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And 
He said unto them, "Why are ye troubled? 
And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 
Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I 
Myself : handle Me and see ; for a spirit hath 
not flesh and bones as ye see Me have." 

And when He had thus spoken, He showed 
unto them His hands and His feet and His 
side. Then were the disciples glad when they 
saw the Lord. And while they yet believed 
not for joy and wondered, He said unto them, 
"Have ye here any meat?" And they gave 
Him a piece of a broiled fish and of a honey 
comb. And He took, and did eat before them. 
128 



Easter 



And He said unto them, "These are the 
words which I spake unto you, while I was 
yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, 
which were written in the law of Moses, and 
in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning 
Me." 

Then opened He their understanding, that 
they might understand the Scriptures, and 
said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus 
it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from 
the dead the third day; and that repentance 
and remission of sins should be preached in 
His name among all nations, beginning at 
Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these 
things." 

Then said Jesus to them again, "Peace be 
unto you; as My Father hath sent Me, even 
so send I you." 

And when He had said this, He breathed on 
them, and saith unto them, "Receive ye the 
Holy Ghost: whosoever sins ye remit, they 
are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins 
ye retain, they are retained." 

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didy- 
mus, was not with them when Jesus came. 
The other disciples therefore said unto Him, 
"We have seen the Lord." 

But he said unto them, "Except I shall see 
in His hands the print of the nails, and put my 
finger into the print of the nails, and thrust 
my hand into His side, I will not believe." 

THE COLLECT FOR EASTER DAY 

Almighty God, Who, through Thine only-begotten 
Son, Jesus Christ, hast overcome death, and opened 
unto us the gate of everlasting life: we humbly be- 

129 

9 



Zbe passion of our Xorfc 



seech Thee, that, as Thou dost put into our minds 
good desires, so by Thy continual help we may 
bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ, 
our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and 
the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



130 



"The Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valleys, the 
Chiefest among ten thousand." 

-—Solomon 

"Head of the hosts in glory! 
We joyfully adore Thee, — 

The church on earth below, 
Blending with those on high, — 
Where through the azure sky 
Thy saints in ecstasy, — 

Forever glow. 

"Angels, Archangels! glorious, 
Guards of the church victorious! 

Sing to the Lamb! 
Crown Him with crowns of light, — 
One of the Three by right- 
Love, — Majesty, — and Might, — 

The Great I AM." 

— Brydges 



132 



FROM EASTER TO ASCENSION DAY 



OTHER APPEARANCES OF CHRIST 



(6.) Our Lord's Appearance to the Disciples, 
Thomas Being Present 

Sunday, April 16th, A. D. 30 

Jewish First Day, Nisan 24, A. U. C. 783 

Five appearances of our Lord after His resurrec- 
tion are recorded as taking place on Easter. Includ- 
ing His final appearance at His ascension, there are 
five more in those last forty days. This was the 
sixth in order, and occurred in Jerusalem, a week 
after the resurrection, possibly in the same room in 
which the former one had occurred. The doubter, 
Thomas, is effectually convinced of the fact of the 
resurrection. 

John 20:26-29 

And after eight days again His disciples 
were within, and Thomas with them: then 
came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood 
in the midst, and said, "Peace be unto you." 
Then saith He to Thomas, "Reach hither thy 
finger, and behold My hands; and reach 
hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side; 
and be not faithless, but believing." And 
Thomas answered and said unto Him, "My 
Lord and my God." Jesus saith unto him, 
"Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou 
hast believed: blessed are they that have not 
seen, and yet have believed." And many other 
signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His dis- 
133 



XCbe passion of our Xort> 



ciples, which are not written in this book: but 
these are written, that ye might believe that 
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that 
believing ye might have life through His name. 

(7.) Jesus' Appearance to Seven Disciples at the 
Sea of Tiberias 

At last the disciples, in obedience to the Lord's 
command, go to Galilee, and there He meets them 
to give them some fuller instructions, in the light 
of His resurrection. This was His seventh appear- 
ance, and the third to the body of the disciples. 
Three times the Lord had predicted Peter's denial; 
three times Peter had denied Him; and it was 
fitting that in this interview a three-fold confession 
should be drawn from him by Jesus. 

John 21: 1-25 

After these things Jesus shewed Himself 
again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; 
and on this wise shewed He Himself. There 
were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called 
Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, 
and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of His 
disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, "I 
go a fishing." They say unto him, "We also 
go with thee." They went forth, and entered 
into a ship immediately; and that night they 
caught nothing. But when the morning was 
now come, Jesus stood on the shore; but the 
disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then 
Jesus saith unto them, "Children, have ye any 
meat?" They answered Him, "No." 

And He said unto them, "Cast the net on the 
right side of the ship, and ye shall find." They 
cast therefore, and now they were not able to 
draw it for the multitude of fishes. 

134 



Easter to Hscenston 2>aip 



Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved 
saith unto Peter, "It is the Lord." Now when 
Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he 
girt his fisher's coat unto him (for he was 
naked), and did cast himself into the sea. And 
the other disciples came in a little ship (for 
they were not far from land, but as it were two 
hundred cubits), dragging the net with fishes. 
As soon then as they were come to land, they 
saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, 
and bread. Jesus saith unto them, "Bring of 
the fish which ye have now caught." Simon 
Peter went up, and drew the net to land full 
of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: 
and for all there were so many, yet was not the 
net broken. Jesus saith unto them, "Come and 
dine." And none of the disciples durst ask Him, 
"Who art Thou?" knowing that it was the 
Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, 
and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is 
now the third time that Jesus shewed Himself 
to His disciples, after that He was risen from 
the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus 
saith to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, 
lovest thou Me more than these?" He saith 
unto Him, "Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I 
love Thee." He saith unto him, "Feed My 
lambs." He saith to him again the second 
time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" 
He saith unto Him, "Yea, Lord ; Thou know- 
est that I love Thee." He saith unto him, 
"Feed my sheep." He saith unto him the third 
time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" 
Peter was grieved because He said unto him 
the third time "Lovest thou Me ?" And he said 
unto Him, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; 
135 



Zhe passion of our %orfc 



Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus saith 
unto him, "Feed My sheep. Verily, verily, I 
say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou 
girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou 
wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou 
shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall 
gird thee, and carry thee whither thou would- 
est not." This spake He, signifying by what 
death he should glorify God. And when He 
had spoken this, He saith unto him, "Follow 
Me." Then Peter, turning about, seeth the 
disciple whom Jesus loved following; which 
also leaned on His breast at supper, and said, 
"Lord, which is he that betrayeth Thee?" 
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, "Lord, and 
what shall this man do?" Jesus saith unto 
him, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what 
is that to thee? follow thou Me." Then went 
this saying abroad among the brethren, that 
that disciple should not die : yet Jesus said not 
unto him, "He shall not die ;" but, "If I will that 
he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" This 
is the disciple which testifieth of these things, 
and wrote these things : and we know that his 
testimony is true. And there are also many 
other things which Jesus did, the which, if 
they should be written every one, I suppose 
that even the world itself could not contain the 
books that should be written. Amen. 

(8.) Jesus' Appearance to the Eleven in Galilee 

It may be that this eighth appearance of our Lord 
is the one to which St. Paul refers, I Cor. 15:6, 
where He was seen of above five hundred brethren. 
It was in this interview, as we believe, that the great 
Commission was given. Just when it occurred, it 

136 



Easter to Hscension 2>a? 



is impossible to say. It was on a mountain in Gali- 
lee, but where, precisely, we do not know. 

Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; I Cor. 15:6 

Then the eleven disciples went away into 
Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had ap- 
pointed them. And when they saw Him, they 
worshipped Him; but some doubted. (I Cor. 
15:6. After that, He was seen of above five 
hundred brethren at once ; of whom the greater 
part remain unto this present, but some are 
fallen asleep.) And Jesus came and spake 
unto them, saying, "Go ye into all the world, 
and preach the gospel to every creature. He 
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; 
but he that believeth not shall be damned. And 
these signs shall follow them that believe; in 
My name shall they cast out devils, they shall 
speak with new tongues; they shall take up 
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, 
it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands 
on the sick, and they shall recover. All power 
is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go 
ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing 
them in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them 
to observe all things whatsoever I have com- 
manded you. And, lo, I am with you alway, 
even unto the end of the world. Amen." 

(9.) Christ's Appearance to James 

I Cor. 15:7 

After that He was seen of James. 



137 



"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them: 
up, ye everlasting doors; and THE KING OF 
GLORY shall come in." 

—The Psalmist 

"The mourning hours are ended, 
Our Lord the grave has rended, 
In glory rare and splendid 

Has risen to the skies: 
No longer here with weeping, 
Are we our vigils keeping, 
But every heart is leaping 
With glad and sweet surprise." 

—Rev. C. S. Robinson, D. D. 

"Since Christ hath reached His glorious throne 
And mighty gifts are His, 
My heart can rest in heaven alone; 

On earth my Lord I miss: 
I long to be with Him on high, 
And heart and thoughts would hourly fly 
Where now my treasure is." 

— Wegelin, 1637 



138 



EVENTS OF ASCENSION DAY 



THE CLOSING SCENE ON OLIVET 

(10.) Christ's Final Appearance to All the 
Disciples and the Ascension 

Thursday, May 18th, A. D. 30 

In Jerusalem our Lord began His public ministry; 
and properly so, as that was the capital of Judaism 
and the center of the hierarchy. There He had 
been formally and finally rejected and put to death; 
there He had first shown Himself alive after His 
resurrection. It is fitting, therefore, that the great, 
thrilling, closing act of His earthly life and work 
shall also take place there. What a marvelous 
scene is enacted on that quiet May morning, as that 
sacred form, unhindered by natural laws, slowly 
rises in regal majesty over Bethany, and the gates 
of heaven are high-uplifted to let Him, the King of 
Glory, in. No wonder the disciples can now return 
to Jerusalem with great joy. 

Mark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:4-12 

And being assembled together with them, He 
commanded them that they should not depart 
from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of 
the Father, which saith He, "Ye have heard 
of Me. For John truly baptized with water; 
but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost 
not many days hence. And, behold, I send 
the promise of My Father upon you ; but tarry 
ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued 
with power from on high." 

139 



Zhc ipasslon of our Xorfc 



When therefore they were come together, 
they asked of Him, saying, "Lord, wilt Thou 
at this time restore again the kingdom to 
Israel?" 

And He said unto them, "It is not for you to 
know the times or the seasons, which the 
Father hath put in His own power. But ye 
shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost 
has come upon you : and ye shall be witnesses 
unto Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, 
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of 
the earth." 

And He led them out as far as to Bethany, 
and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 
And it came to pass, when He had spoken 
these things, while He blessed them, while they 
beheld, He was parted from them, and taken 
up: and a cloud received Him out of their 
sight. And He was received up into heaven, 
and sat on the right hand of God. And while 
they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He 
went up, behold, two men stood by them in 
white apparel; which also said, "Ye men of 
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 
This same Jesus, which is taken up from you 
into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye 
have seen Him go into heaven." 

And they worshipped Him, and returned to 
Jerusalem with great joy, from the mount 
called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sab- 
bath day's journey; and were continually in 
the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. 

And they went forth, and preached every- 
where, the Lord working with them, and con- 
firming the word with signs following. Amen. 
140 



THE 



ASCENSION 



"He * * ascended up far above all H. Hptmaim 

heavens that He might fill all things." 



Bscenefcm 2>a$ 



COLLECT FOR ASCENSION DAY 

O King of Glory, Lord of Hosts, Who didst this 
day ascend in triumph far above all heavens: we be- 
seech Thee leave us not comfortless, but send to us 
the Spirit of Truth, promised of the Father; O Thou, 
Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and 
reignest, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 



141 



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